By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

ActionSA has announced the party's provincial chairperson Zwakele Mncwango as its premier candidate for KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Mncwango, who previously served as the premier candidate for the Democratic Alliance (DA),has now shifted his allegiance to ActionSA.

This move is part of a broader strategy aimed at challenging the African National Congress (ANC) and bringing about meaningful change in the province.

Party leader Herman Mashaba made the announcement in Durban on Monday.

Mashaba lauded Mncwango as a hard worker who is committed to public service.

"I hold him with the highest esteem, someone I had the privilege to work with in the past. His commitment to public service is beyond measure, his hard work without any doubt is contagious, someone who bravely took on the government of KZN."

Mncwango said his focus would be on ensuring ActionSA is an effective opposition party.

"I stand before you today to pledge that through your trust in me, I will work towards ensuring that there is quality education for all South Africans, quality health care, good governance and fight against corruption. 

"Economic prosperity and Justice, high rate of unemployment fight against crime, water and electricity and rural development. We need a government that cares, brings hope and meaningful change."

Turning to corruption, Mncwango said they had to ensure that they "elect people with ethics, who are honest and have integrity", and that they should have a proper vetting system.

"I’m not here to nurse egos," he added.

"I want to say to Herman, the day he hears I have done something unethical, he must take me out. We will make sure corruption is declared enemy number of our government."

Mncwango has been the thorn in the side of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal. He recently exposed that the provincial government was planning to invest R20 million to fund the South African Music Awards, even though this had not been budgeted for.