· ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba says Xolani Khumalo has the party’s full support despite having little political experience.
· Khumalo, who exposed drug dealers on TV, says he wants to fight crime, create jobs and improve basic services in Ekurhuleni.
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba has announced reality TV presenter Xolani Khumalo as the party’s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni in the next local government elections.
Khumalo, best known for hosting the Moja Love reality show Sizok’thola, is stepping into politics for the first time. Despite his lack of political experience, Mashaba says Khumalo is the right person to lead the municipality.
“When I became the mayor of Johannesburg, I had no governance experience,” said Mashaba. “Even Nasiphi Moya had limited knowledge when she became the mayor of Tshwane. Khumalo has our full backing.”
Mashaba said ActionSA expects Khumalo to help the party win votes and promised that, if elected, he would be surrounded by a skilled and diverse team. “Once he is mayor, I can assure the people of South Africa that we will put the best South Africans — black and white — around him to serve residents before themselves,” said Mashaba.
He described Khumalo as a fearless and ethical leader who is ready to reclaim Ekurhuleni from criminals, deliver reliable services and promote economic growth.
Khumalo became popular for his investigative reporting on Sizok’thola, where he exposed drug dealers and criminal activities in Gauteng.
In July 2023, he was arrested for the alleged murder of a suspected drug dealer, as well as robbery and malicious damage to property. He was acquitted of all charges in April 2025.
The 2026 South African local elections are expected to take place between 2 November 2026 and 1 February 2027. ActionSA says it will soon announce more mayoral candidates across the country.
Pictured above: TV presenter Xolani Khumalo has been named ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni
Image source: Supplied
