JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The ongoing ANC mayoral candidates delay has laid bare significant internal divisions within the ruling party, particularly as the race for Johannesburg and other major metros intensifies ahead of the November local government elections. According to Wits Emeritus Professor Susan Booysen, the incomplete nomination process is a direct reflection of unresolved factional negotiations and strategic hesitations within the organization.
During a highly anticipated event in Johannesburg, widely considered the epicenter of the party’s electoral battlegrounds, the ANC unveiled a preliminary slate of mayoral nominees. This initial list included the incumbent Johannesburg mayor and other prominent figures, such as Nomusa Dube, for top metropolitan areas. However, the final, definitive roster of candidates will only be revealed in September, leaving the selection process conspicuously unfinished despite the initial political fanfare.
Professor Booysen emphasized that the absence of final names is far from accidental. She pointed to probable internal ruptures and protracted negotiations, especially in fiercely contested municipalities. The pacification of potential losing candidates has evidently not been finalized, preventing the party from officially crowning its standard-bearers for highly disputed areas like Johannesburg.
While the ANC has historically avoided pre-election candidate announcements—with the notable and turbulent exception of the Tshwane mayoral selection in 2016, which led to severe internal upheaval—the current political climate has forced a strategic shift. Opposition parties have already begun rolling out their nominees, mounting immense pressure on the ANC to demonstrate it can field individuals with unblemished anti-corruption records, proven integrity, and the administrative capability to manage complex metropolitan governments.
The ANC Secretary General recently confirmed in a media interview that the final names will be announced in the course of September. Professor Booysen noted that this timeline is driven by complex political calculations. Historically, the party hesitated to name candidates early, fearing they might lack motivation on the campaign trail if their positions were already guaranteed. Today, an even more pressing threat looms: the rise of the MK party. Following the 2024 elections in KwaZulu-Natal, where unsuccessful ANC candidates who missed the PR election list defected to the MK party and secured spots on their rival lists, the ANC is acutely aware that premature announcements could trigger similar defections to opposing factions that are still finalizing their own senior nominations, including in the Eastern Cape.
Although breaking with tradition to announce a preliminary pool of candidates might project an image of cohesion, Professor Booysen cautioned that this unity may be superficial. In highly contested areas, it is highly probable that consensus has not yet been reached, leaving the ANC with the urgent task of concluding these delicate negotiations before campaign momentum is lost.
This internal friction directly impacts the party’s campaign messaging. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently stressed the imperative of deploying ethical leaders who will not exploit tender processes or enrich family, friends, and acquaintances. However, the ANC faces a profound credibility gap. Having governed Johannesburg until 2016 and participated in subsequent coalitions, the party’s promise to be the solution to the city’s systemic decay is met with deep public skepticism. Auditor General reports and the lived experiences of residents consistently highlight corruption and unethical leadership as the prevailing status quo in areas under ANC stewardship.
Consequently, the ANC’s narrative of rebuilding, renewing, and fixing municipal governance hinges entirely on the actual quality and candor of the candidates they eventually present. Professor Booysen warned that the party faces a monumental challenge in restoring voter confidence. Past campaign slogans such as “Together we can build communities,” “Together we move South Africa forward,” and “Together we bring growth to South Africa” may no longer resonate with the public. Extensive research indicates that the electorate has largely lost faith, remaining deeply skeptical of current-day assurances that the party can govern more effectively and fulfill its promises in the upcoming term.
