ActionSA seeks role in Cape Town coalition
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Dereleen James, ActionSA's candidate for mayor of Cape Town, wants to turn the South African local election results into political influence for marginalised communities. She is preparing talks with parties that share her party's values after the results are finalised, IOL reports.
ActionSA plans to take part in discussions on the future municipal coalition in Cape Town after South Africa's local elections. Its mayoral candidate, Dereleen James, said on Thursday 5 November 2026 that the party would favour formations sharing its values, while awaiting guidance from its national leadership, according to IOL.
ActionSA did not initially want to govern in a coalition, but James said voters had imposed this configuration. She said she was proud of the volunteers and supporters who had enabled the party to establish a presence in the City of Cape Town municipality, just four months after her candidacy was announced.
The candidate acknowledged the Democratic Alliance's (DA) performance in Cape Town and said ActionSA would not seek to disrupt services that were working. However, she wants them extended to disadvantaged areas of the Cape Flats, where she identified a gap compared with more affluent areas.
Dereleen James also deplored the low turnout among marginalised residents, which she attributed to their discouragement with the political system. Coalition discussions are expected to begin after the results are finalised, IOL reports.
