African Congress for Transformation (ACT)

Founded: 2023.

The African Congress for Transformation is a South African political party launched in 2023 by former African National Congress secretary-general Ace Magashule. Its 2024 manifesto proposes expropriation of land without compensation, state custodianship of land and mineral resources, nationalising the Reserve Bank, a state-owned pharmaceutical company, a basic income grant and continued coal and nuclear generation.

Official website: https://actonline.org.za/

Not yet reviewed by a human. These positions were placed by reading the sources below; each one links to the document it came from.

12 of 15 axes have a cited position. Axes without a published position are marked as such and are never scored.

Positions

Economy: state or market — -1.75

State-led: the state owns or directs key industries, sets prices and plans investment.Market-led: private ownership, deregulation, lower taxes and a smaller state.

State-led: the state owns or directs key industries, sets prices and plans investment.

Nationalise the South African Reserve Bank: Broaden the Reserve Bank's mandate to include reducing unemployment and allocating credit to targeted economic sectors, alongside maintaining price stability.

Economy , On Stabilising the Economy (party_document; accessed 2026-10-18)

Land reform and expropriation — -1.75

Expropriation without compensation and state custodianship of land.Strong property rights; redistribution only through willing-buyer/willing-seller and the courts.

Expropriation without compensation and state custodianship of land.

Transparent and Just Process: Expropriation without compensation will be carried out through a transparent and legally sound process that considers the needs of affected communities and safeguards against abuse.

Land Reform , Policy Positions (party_document; accessed 2026-10-18)

BEE and race-based redress — -1.25

Race-based redress expanded: BEE, employment equity and ownership targets enforced.Race-based redress phased out or replaced by non-racial, class-based or need-based measures.

Leaning towards: race-based redress expanded: bee, employment equity and ownership targets enforced.

Prioritize African and female legal practitioners in state briefing patterns to foster diversity, skill development, and representation.

A Manifesto for Progress and Prosperity: NPE 2024 , Judiciary (manifesto; accessed 2026-10-18)

Labour market — No published position found

No published position found. This axis does not count towards the match.

Healthcare and NHI — -1.25

Universal public health care: a publicly funded and publicly provided National Health Insurance with a smaller private sector.Private provision: medical schemes and market competition carry most of the system, with a smaller public role.

Leaning towards: universal public health care: a publicly funded and publicly provided national health insurance with a smaller private sector.

Universal healthcare coverage: We will strive to establish a comprehensive and affordable universal healthcare system, ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of economic status.

Healthcare , Policy Positions (party_document; accessed 2026-10-18)

Education — -1.00

State-directed schooling: a central curriculum, expanded free public education and tighter regulation of independent schools.Parental choice: independent schools, charter-type models and market mechanisms in education.

Leaning towards: state-directed schooling: a central curriculum, expanded free public education and tighter regulation of independent schools.

Free, quality education for all: We will work towards providing free and quality education for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background.

Education , Policy Positions (party_document; accessed 2026-10-18)

Crime and policing — +0.00

Enforcement-first: more police and soldiers on the streets, harsher sentences, fewer procedural limits on the state.Prevention-first: community policing, restorative justice, and civil-liberties safeguards.

Between the two poles

Strengthen law enforcement: We will invest in training and equipping law enforcement agencies to effectively combat crime and maintain law and order. ... Rehabilitation and reintegration: We will prioritize the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society, ensuring that they have access to education, job training, and support systems to prevent recidivism.

Crime & Corruption , Policy Position (party_document; accessed 2026-10-18)

Immigration — -0.75

Restrictive: tighter borders, limits on foreign nationals, deportation of undocumented migrants.Open: freer movement, rights for migrants, and regional integration.

Leaning towards: restrictive: tighter borders, limits on foreign nationals, deportation of undocumented migrants.

Revamp the concept of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to prioritise small businesses, develop legislation to tie big corporates to township development goals, and prohibit foreign nationals from operating certain township businesses

A Manifesto for Progress and Prosperity: NPE 2024 , The Economy (manifesto; accessed 2026-10-18)

Energy and climate — +1.75

Rapid decarbonisation: coal phase-out, renewable generation and climate commitments prioritised.Energy security first: continued coal, gas or nuclear generation and a slower transition.

Energy security first: continued coal, gas or nuclear generation and a slower transition.

Energy, particularly derived from coal, is the cornerstone of South Africa's economy, powering various sectors and ensuring access to affordable electricity. The ACT emphasizes the importance of continued coal investment for economic growth and poverty alleviation, while advocating for a balanced energy portfolio encompassing fossil fuels, nuclear, hydro, and renewables to address the nation's energy needs effectively and sustainably

A Manifesto for Progress and Prosperity: NPE 2024 , Energy (manifesto; accessed 2026-10-18)

Federalism and devolution — No published position found

No published position found. This axis does not count towards the match.

Traditional leadership — -1.50

Expanded role: traditional leaders hold formal powers over governance, land and customary law.Limited role: elected structures and individual constitutional rights take precedence over customary authority.

Expanded role: traditional leaders hold formal powers over governance, land and customary law.

The ACT recognizes the importance of traditional leaders in managing customary land and ensuring tenure security. We advocate for the equal treatment of all kings and proper resourcing of traditional councils.

A Manifesto for Progress and Prosperity: NPE 2024 , Traditional Leadership (manifesto; accessed 2026-10-18)

Social values — +1.00

Conservative: law reflects religious or traditional morality, with narrower reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights.Liberal: secular law, with expanded gender, reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights.

Leaning towards: liberal: secular law, with expanded gender, reproductive and lgbtq+ rights.

The ACT will combat gender-based violence, minimize gender discrepancies in access to resources, and promote equitable gender norms. ... The ACT will create policies to support LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, include sexuality education in healthcare training, promote inclusive workplaces, and provide training on LGBTQIA+ issues.

A Manifesto for Progress and Prosperity: NPE 2024 , Social Development (manifesto; accessed 2026-10-18)

Foreign policy — No published position found

No published position found. This axis does not count towards the match.

Anti-corruption and governance — -1.50

Expanded oversight: independent anti-corruption bodies with stronger investigative powers, asset forfeiture and procurement transparency.Smaller state machinery: fewer new bodies and regulations, with corruption handled through existing criminal law and the courts.

Expanded oversight: independent anti-corruption bodies with stronger investigative powers, asset forfeiture and procurement transparency.

Independent Anti-Corruption Agency: We advocate for the establishment of an independent anti-corruption agency with the authority to investigate, prosecute, and prevent corruption across all sectors.

Crime & Corruption , Policy Position (party_document; accessed 2026-10-18)

Local service delivery — -0.75

Centralised delivery: national standards and national or provincial intervention where councils fail.Municipal self-reliance: councils and communities decide, with private or community providers used where they work better.

Leaning towards: centralised delivery: national standards and national or provincial intervention where councils fail.

Water and Municipal Services: Strengthen Water Boards, build dams, upgrade water distribution infrastructure, and nationalise the private dams; improve Municipal Engineering Services to maintain bulk infrastructure, eliminate tender systems, and create sustainable jobs.

Economy , On Infrastructure Development (party_document; accessed 2026-10-18)