Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
18 September 2023 | 18:25 CAT

Image: Daily Maverick

After having registered a 2021 local government election result, which has placed ActionSA in the top four political parties in South Africa, the focus now shifts to being a party with a national footprint in all nine provinces.

ActionSA says it has 225,000 members and is planning on accelerating its membership recruitment drive ahead of the 2024 elections.

“ActionSA’s Senate has concluded its strategic planning, publicly announcing the objective of emerging from the 2024 national and provincial elections as the 2nd biggest party in South Africa. In order to accomplish this objective, ActionSA must expand its operational capacity to increase both the recognition and favourability of our brand,” the party stated.

Speaking at the party’s first policy conference at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg this week, Party National chairperson Michael Beaumont predicted that ActionSA would grow its support, including in provinces other than its base in Gauteng.

According to Beaumont, ActionSA’s membership is mainly from Gauteng and comprises a mixed demographic.

At the 2021 local government polls, the party contested only a few metros in its first elections and was the sixth-largest party nationally. It won more than 8% in Gauteng and took 16% in Johannesburg.

“We won voting districts in townships, we won voting districts in suburbs and we won votes in informal settlements and CBDs. ActionSA is the home that unites all citizens. Since then our growth path has continued,” Beaumont said.

“This party is growing and is growing quickly. We emerged from the 2021 elections with two priorities. First, we had to develop strong structures on the ground across the country. Second, we needed to develop a unique policy offering that would differentiate ActionSA [from] other political parties,” he said.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.