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ActionSA notes the IEC’s confirmation that South Africa now has over 500 registered political parties, with more than 60 new registrations since the 2024 elections. While the constitutional space for political participation remains important, the growing presence of inactive and informal parties raises legitimate concerns about voter clarity and municipal stability.

Democracy is not strengthened by a long ballot paper filled with organisations that do not exist on the ground, have no governance capacity, and only activate during election season. These entities contribute to confusion, dilute accountability, and in coalition environments, undermine the ability of councils to function and deliver services.

In recent months, the IEC has begun issuing notices to deregister inactive and non-compliant parties. ActionSA welcomes this step, as it protects voter interests and maintains the seriousness of the democratic process.

ActionSA has long recognised the need to avoid ballot clutter and strengthen political credibility. This is why we established the Green Umbrella, an internal structure designed to merge capacity, maintain discipline, and ensure meaningful participation under one accountable banner. It ensures that credible leaders operate within a coherent governance framework, rather than contributing to unnecessary political fragmentation.

A key element of credible political participation and essential to stable and functional municipalities is real branches on the ground. Communities are governed from the ward up, and political accountability begins at branch level. Parties that cannot point to functioning branches, accountable local leadership, and visible work in communities between elections cannot credibly promise effective governance.

South Africans have a role to play in strengthening democracy. Voters should expect and ask basic questions of anyone seeking their support: Where are your branches? Who leads them? What work do you do when it is not election season? This is not gatekeeping, it is respect for the voter and the democratic process.

As we move toward the 2026 local elections, ActionSA will continue championing an environment where participation is open, but seriousness is non-negotiable. We remain confident in the Green Umbrella as our disciplined mechanism for capacity-building and principled political participation, and we will continue constructive engagement with credible actors who align with our mission to build a capable, ethical and service-focused state.

South Africans deserve clear, credible options and a ballot paper that reflects real organisation, real work, and real readiness to govern.

Issued by ActionSA Deputy President Dr. Mbahare Kekana