ActionSA’s Xolani Khumalo Wins Ward 6 in Ekurhuleni as Mayoral Race Heats Up
ActionSA’s Xolani Khumalo has won Ward 6 in Tembisa, securing a seat on the City of Ekurhuleni council as the former Sizok’thola presenter continues his campaign to become the metro’s next mayor.
Khumalo confirmed his victory on Thursday, 5 November 2026, after contesting Ward 6 as both a ward councillor candidate and ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni.
The result gives ActionSA a significant breakthrough in the Tembisa ward, where the party secured 40.69% of the vote, ahead of the African National Congress (ANC).
It also places Khumalo directly inside the municipal council he hopes to lead.
But while the ward victory is an important personal and political milestone, the bigger question remains: can ActionSA turn its growing support in Ekurhuleni into enough council seats and political influence to secure the mayor’s office?
Follow the latest developments in our South Africa 2026 Voting Results live update.
Xolani Khumalo wins Ward 6 with 3,883 votes
According to figures reported by Briefly News, ActionSA received 3,883 votes in Ward 6, representing 40.69% of the ward vote.
The ANC finished second with 32.87%, giving ActionSA a notable lead in the Tembisa-based contest.
Khumalo announced the result on his verified X account, thanking Ekurhuleni residents after being declared Ward 6 Councillor-Elect.
He also acknowledged the unusual nature of his campaign, having contested the ward councillor position while simultaneously running as ActionSA’s candidate for mayor of Ekurhuleni.
Ward 6 covers several sections of Tembisa in northern Ekurhuleni, including:
- Endulweni
- Isithame
- Igqagqa
- Emkatini
- Esiziba
- Ibazelo
The result represents a major improvement for ActionSA compared with the 2021 Local Government Elections. The ANC previously won Ward 6 with 64.3% of the ward councillor vote, while ActionSA received 7.8%.
This time, ActionSA finished ahead of the ANC, highlighting the changing political picture in parts of Ekurhuleni.
Why Xolani Khumalo’s victory matters for ActionSA
Khumalo’s Ward 6 victory is more than a councillor win. It gives ActionSA a direct electoral foothold in a community that has historically supported the ANC.
For the party, the result strengthens its position in the Ekurhuleni political contest and provides a visible boost to its mayoral campaign.
ActionSA has positioned Khumalo as a candidate focused on crime, municipal accountability, service delivery and economic opportunities for township communities.
His public profile also gives the party a recognisable figure in a highly contested Gauteng metro.
However, one ward result cannot determine the overall control of Ekurhuleni. The final balance of power will depend on the full municipal council results, the proportional representation seats and any coalition agreements that follow.
Can Xolani Khumalo become the next Ekurhuleni mayor?
Khumalo is ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni, but winning Ward 6 does not automatically make him mayor.
Under South Africa’s municipal governance system, the mayor is elected by councillors through the municipal council. Political parties therefore need enough seats, either independently or through coalition support, to secure the position.
That makes the metro-wide election results far more important than any single ward victory.
On 5 November, eNCA reported that its MarkData election projection indicated that the Democratic Alliance (DA) could emerge as the leading party in Ekurhuleni, with approximately 29% support. The projection also pointed to a decline in ANC support and growing support for ActionSA.
These figures were projections, not final certified results. They nevertheless underline the possibility of a competitive council in which coalition negotiations could determine the next mayor.
For Khumalo, the challenge is now to convert ActionSA’s electoral gains into sufficient support inside the council.
From Sizok’thola to the Ekurhuleni mayoral race
Before entering electoral politics, Khumalo became widely recognised through Sizok’thola, a television programme associated with exposing suspected drug activity and confronting crime in communities.
His public profile and outspoken approach to crime became central to his political identity.
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba announced Khumalo as the party’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate in October 2025, placing him at the centre of the party’s campaign in Gauteng.
His political pitch has focused on improving safety, tackling corruption, strengthening municipal services and creating opportunities for township businesses.
The move from television personality to mayoral candidate has made Khumalo one of the more recognisable figures in the 2026 local government election campaign.
His Ward 6 victory now gives that political journey a concrete electoral result.
Service delivery remains a major issue in Tembisa and Ekurhuleni
The election comes against a backdrop of continuing municipal challenges across Ekurhuleni.
Residents have raised concerns about electricity interruptions, water supply, municipal billing disputes, infrastructure maintenance and the affordability of basic services.
Tembisa has also experienced protests linked to electricity disconnections, disputed accounts and access to municipal indigent support.
These issues have featured prominently in local political campaigns because they directly affect households, small businesses and community life.
ActionSA has campaigned on improving municipal financial management, strengthening accountability, addressing corruption and improving access to essential services.
Winning Ward 6 gives Khumalo a direct responsibility to represent residents on these issues, regardless of whether he ultimately becomes mayor.
What happens next in the Ekurhuleni election?
The next major development will be the completion and confirmation of the Ekurhuleni municipal election results.
Once the final council composition is established, political parties will have to determine whether one party can govern alone or whether a coalition arrangement will be necessary.
The council will then elect its mayor and establish the municipality’s political leadership.
For ActionSA, Khumalo’s victory provides momentum, but the party’s overall seat count and its ability to secure support from other councillors will be decisive.
The distinction is important: Xolani Khumalo has won Ward 6 and secured a council seat. The Ekurhuleni mayoral position is still a separate decision.
As the 2026 election results continue to develop, his victory gives ActionSA a significant result in Tembisa — but the final balance of power across Ekurhuleni will determine what comes next.
Keep following Urban Street Culture’s 2026 South African election results coverage for further updates.
