ETHEKWINI, KWAZULU NATAL — ActionSA is preparing to announce a significant wave of political defectors in eThekwini, signaling what the party describes as the beginning of a major political shift in the region ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. The highly anticipated announcement is set to introduce new leaders joining the party from various rival political groups, most notably including a sitting ward councillor.
The event is taking place at a church in Red Hill, located in the eThekwini North area. Members and supporters have been gathering at the venue for the program, which will be led by ActionSA party leader Herman Mashaba. He is expected to address the media alongside other senior party officials to outline the party’s strategic plans and vision going forward into the November polls.
Adding to the senior leadership presence, Dereleen James, noted in the proceedings as the party’s Cape Town mayoral candidate, is also participating in the event.
While the exact identities of the incoming politicians have been kept strictly confidential by party leadership ahead of the official reveal, the inclusion of a sitting ward councillor is generating considerable excitement on the ground. Observers and attendees are eager to find out exactly which ward the defecting councillor represents and how their departure from a rival party might impact the local government election turnout and overall results in that specific area.
This move by ActionSA is part of a broader expected trend of political realignments. As the country gears up for the 2026 local government elections, political defections are anticipated to become increasingly common across Durban and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
ActionSA is building on its previous electoral footprint in the province. During the 2021 local government elections, the party enjoyed a successful campaign in the region, managing to secure four wards within the city. Additionally, the party expanded its reach by taking five seats along the north coast of the province.
Today’s announcements will provide clarity on ActionSA’s forward-looking strategy as they aim to expand their ward occupancy and solidify their presence in the province for the upcoming electoral cycle.
