ActionSA
Former Johannesburg Council Speaker and ActionSA councillor Nobuhle Mthembu has resigned from her position as a proportional representation councillor and terminated her membership with the party, citing deep concerns over its internal decision-making processes and democratic practices.
In a formal resignation letter dated 8 August 2025 and addressed to the regional secretary, Mthembu expressed her immediate departure from ActionSA, marking the end of her association with the organisation she joined with high hopes. She highlighted her journey within the party, starting as a new councillor and rising to lead the Johannesburg caucus, where she became the first black female leader from Soweto. This role, she noted, taught her invaluable lessons about building structures, politics, governance, and council business, including her time serving as Speaker of the Johannesburg Council.
Mthembu, aged 38, holds a BCom degree in Taxation and has been a dedicated public servant since entering local government. Before her political career took centre stage, she founded the non-profit organisation Assertive Women and Girls, focused on promoting women’s leadership and empowerment. As a distinguished Toastmaster, she has long championed communication skills and community upliftment, particularly in underprivileged areas like Soweto, where she grew up and built her reputation as a fierce advocate for accountability and transparency.
Her resignation comes just two months after a tumultuous period in Johannesburg’s volatile coalition politics. Mthembu was elected as Johannesburg Council Speaker in August 2024, following ActionSA’s conditional partnership with the African National Congress (ANC) in the metro. This arrangement saw ActionSA support ANC’s Dada Morero for the mayoral position in exchange for the speakership, a move aimed at stabilising governance in South Africa’s economic hub. During her acceptance speech as Speaker, Mthembu vowed to usher in an era of accountability, prioritising service delivery issues like reliable electricity, water supply, pothole repairs, and refuse removal. She emphasised rebuilding the city, which has faced severe challenges including fiscal pressures, crumbling infrastructure, and revenue collection problems affecting over six million residents.
However, her tenure was short-lived. On 25 June 2025, Mthembu was removed from the Speaker position through a motion of no confidence sponsored by the Al Jama-ah party and supported by the ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Democratic Alliance (DA). The vote saw 212 councillors in favour of her ousting, with only 48 against and no abstentions. ActionSA’s national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, had earlier announced the party would not defend Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero in his own no-confidence motion, citing collapsed service delivery such as non-working traffic lights, street decay, and frequent outages. In retaliation, the ANC withdrew support for Mthembu, exposing the fragility of the Government of Local Unity coalition in Johannesburg.
Accepting her removal at the time, Mthembu stated she respected the council’s decision but remained committed to serving Johannesburg’s residents. ActionSA defended her, describing the ousting as a betrayal by the ANC, which the party accused of overstating its importance in the coalition. The incident highlighted ongoing cracks in Johannesburg’s multiparty governance, where alliances shift based on power dynamics rather than consistent policy delivery.
In her resignation letter, Mthembu delved deeper into her reasons for leaving ActionSA, pointing to a misalignment between the party’s internal dynamics and her personal values. She wrote that after careful consideration, she realised the party’s decision-making processes no longer align with her values or the interests of the constituency she represents. “I firmly believe that organizations must foster open discussions, transparency, and democracy,” she stated. “Despite our efforts to address these concerns, meaningful change has not been forthcoming. As a result, I have decided that it is in the best interest of both me and the constituency I represent to part ways with the party. This marks the end of my association with ActionSA.”
Mthembu also expressed sincere gratitude for the opportunities ActionSA provided, acknowledging the party’s role in her growth. As a black female leader from Soweto leading the fabulous 44 caucus as a new councillor, she gained hands-on experience in regional politics and governance. Serving as Speaker further honed her expertise in council operations. “I deeply appreciate these experiences,” she added, underscoring her ethical leadership and commitment to public service.
The resignation has sparked speculation about Mthembu’s next steps in South African politics. Some observers suggest she may align with emerging political movements, potentially joining forces with figures like Floyd Shivambu in his new ventures, such as the speculated Mayibuye iAfrika initiative linked to broader progressive coalitions. However, Mthembu has not publicly confirmed any future affiliations, focusing instead on her belief in fostering ethical and transparent organisations.
For ActionSA, founded by Herman Mashaba in 2020 as a platform for ethical governance and anti-corruption, this departure represents a setback. The party has positioned itself as an alternative to established players like the ANC and DA, emphasising service delivery and accountability. Mthembu’s exit comes amid broader challenges, including debates over coalition strategies and internal cohesion. ActionSA has faced criticism for its shifting alliances, such as its decision to work with the ANC on an issue-by-issue basis in Johannesburg while maintaining opposition stances elsewhere, like in Tshwane where it holds the mayoralty under Nasiphi Moya.
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