'Watch me in 2029': McKenzie concedes ActionSA victory

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has admitted that Herman Mashaba's ActionSA beat his party in the local government elections.

He has also warned Mashaba to watch out in 2029.

McKenzie, who is also Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, posted a video of the two party leaders on Facebook. Mashaba had visited McKenzie's home for a drink to celebrate ActionSA's results.

In the clip, McKenzie recalls a promise Mashaba made to him after the 2024 national elections, when the PA finished ahead of ActionSA.

"I'm standing here with President Mashaba. You know, he told me three years ago, he says, 'McKenzie, enjoy the fact that you beat me. Next time I'm going to beat you.' He came to my house," McKenzie said.

Mashaba replied: "You didn't believe me."

"I didn't believe you at all," McKenzie said.

"Yeah. But it's because I was doing it for the right reasons, for people who have been left behind," Mashaba said.

"Oh, you've done well," McKenzie said.

"Look, I'm fighting for the marginalised," Mashaba said.

McKenzie then praised Mashaba, and took a swipe at other politicians without naming them.

"No, I know you. Let me tell you, you can say what you like about this man. You can take his word to the bank. When he tells you something at 8 o'clock, tomorrow at 8 o'clock it will be the same. I can't say the same about others," McKenzie said.

"No, thank you very much. Thank you, my brother," Mashaba said.

"Congratulations and yeah, let's do it for the country. You've beaten me this time. Watch me in 2029," McKenzie said.

McKenzie also wrote under the video: "Congratulations Herman Mashaba, ActionSA did exceptionally well. You have done better than any other party including ours. I appreciate your visit to my house for a drink celebrating your success. I wish you the absolute best."

The results show a wide gap between the two parties.

The IEC declared the results on 8 November.

ActionSA got 5.67% of the national vote, which put it fifth behind the ANC, DA, MK and EFF.

It passed one million votes for the first time, even though it stood in fewer than a third of municipalities.

In Tshwane, ActionSA came second with 22.07%, behind the DA and ahead of the ANC.

The PA finished on about 2% nationally.

That is double its 2021 share of 0.97%. But it is far short of McKenzie's claim before the election that the PA would become the country's fourth-biggest party.

The PA also lost Ward 18 in Eldorado Park to the DA. McKenzie responded at the time: "The people have spoken."

The PA did better in the Western Cape. It is the leading party in Prince Albert, where it narrowly missed a majority, and it has pushed the ANC aside to become the DA's main challenger in several municipalities.

In 2024 the result was the other way round.

The PA won 2.06% of the national vote and nine seats in the National Assembly, while ActionSA won 1.2% and six seats. The PA then joined the Government of National Unity and McKenzie went into Cabinet. ActionSA stayed in opposition.