ActionSA President Herman Mashaba has announced a comprehensive policy plan aimed at replacing what he describes as the “failed policies” of the ANC. The new framework prioritizes “equality of opportunity over elite enrichment” and includes measures such as inclusive economic empowerment, a proposed Universal Basic Income stimulus, housing and land reform, and gender justice initiatives.
Key components of the plan include:
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Economic Empowerment: Replacing BEE with an “Opportunity Fund” to broaden access.
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Universal Basic Income: Introducing a stimulus to support vulnerable citizens.
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Land and Housing Reform: Addressing spatial justice by releasing “hijacked buildings.”
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Gender Justice: Expanding affordable childcare and enforcing equal pay.
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Social Cohesion: Investing in youth development, mental health, and community safety.
Mashaba criticized the ANC’s approach to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), calling it “narrow, corrupt, and politically manipulated,” arguing that it entrenched inequality rather than dismantling it. “We need a model that creates equality of opportunity for all,” he said.
ActionSA plans to table a draft resolution in Parliament to establish an ad hoc committee reviewing post-1994 economic policies. Mashaba emphasized that the party’s vision extends beyond the economy, targeting systemic issues in land access, education, healthcare, and security.
The announcement signals ActionSA’s push for alternative solutions ahead of the 2024 elections, positioning itself as a challenger to the ANC’s legacy.
