EKURHULENI, Gauteng — The finalization of the ANC Johannesburg mayoral candidate remains a critical focus for the ruling party, according to former Director-General in the Presidency, Reverend Frank Chikane. Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Diaspora Summit at the Birchwood Hotel, Chikane emphasized the city’s role as the nation’s economic engine while deferring to party leadership regarding the internal selection process.
Johannesburg’s political and administrative stability is paramount for the country’s overall success, Chikane noted. Describing the metropolis as the largest city in the country and the “engine of the economy,” he stressed that resolving the city’s challenges has a ripple effect across the nation.
“If you fix Joburg, as I call it, you can fix the whole country,” Chikane stated, affirming his belief that there is no reason the city cannot be made to function optimally.
Reflecting on the city’s past successes, Chikane recalled the transformative era when Amos Masondo served as mayor and Trevor Fisher—now the chief of APSA—was in the finance portfolio. He highlighted their efforts to elevate Johannesburg into a world-class city, noting that their effective governance ensured areas like Soweto did not miss out on the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) period, unlike other townships.
However, he acknowledged that this progress was later derailed. Chikane pointed to the era of state capture, noting that the systemic intervention severely impacted the city’s institutions. He expressed optimism that the damage is now being undone through the work of various commissions of inquiry, paving the way for recovery.
Looking toward the future, Chikane emphasized that restoring the city requires a collaborative approach. He advocated for strong partnerships between the government, the business sector, and local communities. According to Chikane, once the local economy is fully functional, addressing secondary challenges such as unemployment will become significantly more manageable.
Despite his insights on the city’s trajectory, Chikane maintained a strict boundary regarding the ANC’s internal political processes. When pressed on the specifics of the mayoral candidate selection, he clarified that the internal mechanisms are strictly for the party’s leadership to discuss.
He confirmed that the nomination process was opened, his name was among those nominated, and he subsequently underwent interviews. Following this, the party announced a shortlist. However, Chikane noted that the leadership subsequently decided to finalize the matter after the elections.
“That’s as far as they went,” Chikane concluded, reiterating that he has no further commentary on the internal deliberations and that the party leadership is the appropriate body to address the final candidate announcement.
