Zuma Remark on Mashaba Draws Political Reaction

Dudu Zuma's comments about Herman Mashaba and the DA have prompted discussion following coalition talks after the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Fashion

Zuma Remark on Mashaba Draws Political Reaction

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Dudu Zuma reportedly said Herman Mashaba would be forgiven 'this once' if he demonstrated that he was 'Black like me' and kept Helen Zille and the DA out of the picture. The remarks were published on 9 November 2026.

Why it matters

The comments touch on Mashaba's split from the DA to form ActionSA and on coalition arrangements that followed the 2026 Local Government Elections. Reactions are likely from supporters of ActionSA, the DA and other political formations.

The remarks were attributed to Dudu Zuma and published on 9 November 2026. The extraction contains no quantitative figures, and the trigger for the comments has not been established.

The players

Dudu Zuma

Dudu Zuma is a South African politician whose public remarks on coalition politics drew attention in this story.

Herman Mashaba

Herman Mashaba is a former Johannesburg mayor who left the Democratic Alliance to found the ActionSA party.

Helen Zille

Helen Zille is a senior Democratic Alliance figure referenced in Zuma's remarks about keeping the DA out of Mashaba's political path.

Democratic Alliance (DA)

The Democratic Alliance is a South African opposition party that Mashaba served under as Johannesburg mayor before leaving.

ActionSA

ActionSA is a South African political party founded by Herman Mashaba after his departure from the Democratic Alliance.

The details

Zuma reportedly said Mashaba would be forgiven 'this once' if he showed he was 'Black like me' and kept Helen Zille and the DA out of the picture. Mashaba previously served as Johannesburg mayor under the DA before leaving to establish ActionSA.

2026 Local Government Elections: coalition discussions followed the polls.
9 November 2026: Zuma's remarks about Mashaba were published.

Political Context

Zuma's remarks extend the tensions that followed Herman Mashaba's exit from the Democratic Alliance and the founding of ActionSA. Such comments often shape how opposition parties position themselves in coalition negotiations.

For South African readers following coalition politics, the remarks may shape how parties such as ActionSA and the DA are perceived in future coalition talks. The story does not describe any change to voting, policy or services.

The takeaway

Political alignments in South Africa remain fluid after elections, and public remarks about past party affiliations can influence how coalition partners are viewed. Readers may find it useful to track official party statements alongside media reports.