ANC to reveal Metro mayors early, says Motlanthe

The African National Congress’ (ANC) electoral committee chairperson and former president Kgalema Motlanthe says the party will announce its mayoral candidates for the metros before the 2026 local government elections.

Motlanthe spoke on Monday during a media briefing at the ANC’s headquarters, Chief Albert Luthuli House in Johannesburg, where the party outlined its preparations for the elections as well as the criteria and qualifications required for candidates, including mayors, speakers and chief whips.

He confirmed that the ANC would reveal its mayoral candidates before election day.

“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.

“So those will be announced prior to the elections. Nominations are meant to start early next year.

“By February, the nominations should commence in earnest. You say you've heard most of these issues raised in the statement before, and of course we are glad that you are travelling this journey with us.”

The briefing came as the contest for Johannesburg’s mayoralty gains momentum ahead of next year’s local elections. 

So far, only two candidates have officially entered the race: the DA’s federal council chair Helen Zille and the Patriotic Alliance’s Kenny Kunene, who currently serves as MMC for Transport in the city. 

Zille previously served as Cape Town mayor and Western Cape premier.

The ANC has not yet indicated whether it will retain Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero or put forward a new candidate.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has also suggested he may run. 

He told IOL News that if his party could not identify a candidate who shared the same “qualities” as City of Tshwane mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and City of Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Dlamini, he would not mind contesting the position himself. 

ActionSA has already opened nominations for its Johannesburg mayoral candidate.

Motlanthe said the ANC had strengthened its internal processes to ensure the quality of candidates.

“As I said, the rules have been tightened and the minimum qualification is now mandatory.

“And also that the mayoral candidates for the metros and the secondary cities shall be handled by the national officials.

“This is to ensure that they select people who bring expertise and the requisite qualifications to occupy those positions.”

He added that executive mayors of all metropolitan municipalities and secondary cities would be appointed exclusively by national officials, with gender representation considered at every level.

He outlined the core requirements for leadership positions.

“All candidates to be considered for the positions of mayors, speakers and chief whips must possess the following qualifications and experience: Tertiary qualification from an Accredited Institution and at least 3 years’ experience as an MP, MPL or Councillor.”

Motlanthe said the regional executive committee (REC) will recommend three candidates per municipality for local and district municipalities to provincial officials, drawn from the nominated councillor candidates

“No candidate who has served two consecutive full terms as a Mayor may be considered for a third term in line with the Municipal Structures Act.

“At least two of the three mayoral candidates recommended by the REC must be female.”

He said first-term female mayors on councillor lists must be included among the three recommended candidates.

“The current first term female mayors on the councillor lists must automatically be included amongst the three mayoral candidates recommended by the REC and concerted efforts to ensure that female mayors also serve two full terms shall be made subject to performance.”

He added that all candidates would be interviewed before final decisions are made.

“Before the national and provincial officials decide on the final candidate, they must ensure that candidates are interviewed by duly appointed interview panels composed of officials and NEC or PEC members.”

If officials believe some candidates do not meet the standards, additional names may be added.

“If the officials are not satisfied that some of the candidates meet the criteria, they may add at least two more names to be considered through interviews.

“All candidates shall be subjected to the same interview process. The Chair of the Electoral Committee or his/her nominee supported by the Secretary of the Electoral Committee shall have an observer status during the interviews of the mayoral and Speaker candidates.”

Motlanthe said provincial officials would appoint chief whips and speakers after receiving three recommended candidates from the REC.

“At least 2 of each of the recommended candidates must be female,” he added.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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