In a clear demonstration of its commitment to ensure continuity and effectiveness in governance, the African National Congress (ANC) is leaving nothing to chance as it gears up for the local government elections scheduled for 2026. The party’s top officials unveiled their plans during a media briefing held at the iconic Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Monday.
The ANC’s Electoral Committee, led by Chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe, is set to announce mayoral candidates for metropolitan councils and secondary municipalities well ahead of the elections. This forward-thinking approach aims to bolster the party’s chances, especially in major urban centres, by allowing ample time for community engagement and building momentum among supporters.
“The ANC has agreed that it will announce its mayoral candidates for the metropolitan councils as well as the secondary cities, that is the major cities such as Rustenburg or Polokwane, and so on,” Motlanthe explained. “So those will be announced prior to the elections. Nominations are meant to start early next year, with the process expected to commence in earnest by February.”
In a shift designed to enhance the quality of leadership, Motlanthe emphasized that the selection of these candidates will be handled by the ANC’s top seven officials. “We have tightened the rules and established a mandatory minimum qualification requirement for candidates, ensuring that they are ‘the best of the best’,” he remarked.
For those aspiring to serve as an ordinary councillor, a matric certificate coupled with a post-matric qualification will now be required to qualify for the role of mayor. This change marks a significant pivot from the previous election cycle in 2021, where there were no specific qualification benchmarks.
“Initially, we simply listed names without ensuring any qualifications or skills for PLC members,” Motlanthe stated, highlighting the ANC’s dedication to competence and integrity. “This time, the National Executive Committee (NEC) requested a thorough analysis of competencies and qualifications, which is pivotal in our candidate selection process.” The consequence, as he observed, has been an impressive array of candidates boasting academic accolades, including PhDs, master’s degrees, and experience as former ministers and MPs.
The new strategy doesn’t just stop at the selection; it also extends to safeguarding integrity within the party ranks. The ANC has pledged to conduct lifestyle audits on candidates facing scrutiny regarding their wealth. This initiative aims to uphold transparency and public trust and will involve reputable auditing and law firms in its execution, according to Electoral Committee Secretary Chief Livhuwani Matsila.
The forthcoming elections will be a crucial test for the ANC as it seeks to maintain its longstanding role as a key player in South African politics amidst a dynamic and evolving electorate. The proactive measures laid out by the party signal a determination to not only secure winning candidates but to rebuild confidence in local governance across the nation.