ActionSA and Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) have officially merged in a strategic move to consolidate opposition parties ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The announcement of the merger was made on Wednesday, with F4SD now campaigning under the ActionSA banner while maintaining dual membership to safeguard its municipal representation.
Founded in 2015 by Mbahare Johannes Kekana, F4SD has been dedicated to addressing service delivery issues such as water, sanitation, housing, and education. Despite limited resources, the party has managed to secure 38 municipal council seats across five provinces, including a mayoral position in the Ditsobotla local municipality in North West. Additionally, F4SD holds eight mayoral committee seats, eight chairpersons in municipal public accounts committees nationally, and boasts a membership of over 42,000 members.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba highlighted the significance of uniting opposition parties to challenge the government of national unity (GNU) and the progressive caucus, which includes the Economic Freedom Fighters and other smaller parties. Mashaba commended F4SD for its achievements in previous elections and emphasized the need for a third political force to offer an alternative to the dominant GNU’s parliamentary majority.
The merger symbolizes a broader coalition aimed at addressing governance issues in South Africa and moving away from political self-interest towards serving the needs of the population. The parties plan to hold a joint elective conference to align their structures at regional, provincial, and national levels.
Dr. Mbahare Kekana, who has been at the helm of F4SD since its inception, expressed that the merger is a step towards serving the country’s interests rather than individual party agendas. He emphasized the importance of addressing local government failures and strengthening efforts to improve service delivery.
As part of the merger agreement, Kekana will assume the role of deputy president of ActionSA, following an amendment to the party’s interim constitution. Mashaba outlined his directives for Kekana to focus on building ActionSA structures and addressing the pressing challenges faced by communities.
Mashaba underscored the critical issue of poor service delivery in local government, stating that the new alliance aims to tackle this problem head-on. With the upcoming local government elections seen as pivotal in South Africa, the alliance seeks to bridge the gap between citizens’ lived realities and the mismanagement of municipalities by previous parties.
In conclusion, the merger between ActionSA and F4SD marks a significant step towards unifying opposition parties and providing a strong alternative in the political landscape. The focus on addressing service delivery challenges and prioritizing the needs of South Africans reflects a commitment to better governance and accountability in local government.
