The African National Congress (ANC) is broadening its selection process for mayoral candidates ahead of the local government elections by allowing non-card-carrying members of the party to nominate themselves or others.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu confirmed the decision, announced the previous day, as part of the party’s renewal programme outlined in its January 8 statement. She described the move as a practical step toward extending the ANC’s reach and recruiting talented individuals rooted in their communities who align with the party’s principles, including non-racialism and non-sexism.
“This is part of the renewal program of the ANC,” Bhengu said. “It is a demonstration that the commitments that we have made in our January 8th statement we are living up to them.” She emphasised that the initiative aims to utilise talent across South Africa while ensuring public representatives meet high standards.
The party has set a deadline of Friday, 22 May, for interested individuals to register via an established portal. Nominations have been open for approximately two weeks. Bhengu noted that the electoral committee, led by President Khalima Mutante, will oversee the process, which may or may not see the deadline extended.
Candidates will undergo rigorous vetting, including checks for a post-graduate level of education, no criminal record, financial and lifestyle audits by competent service providers, demonstrated integrity, community support, and adherence to ethical standards. The spokesperson stressed that the ANC remains on schedule with its electoral programme, as this period is typically when mayoral candidates are selected.
Bhengu addressed concerns about the timeline, given roughly 167 days until the November elections, stating that the process—including shortlisting, interviews, and background checks—will unfold promptly, with announcements expected in a short while. Selected candidates will then participate immediately in election campaigns.
The initiative is framed as an admission that previous recruitment methods for local government representatives have not always met desired standards. “This is an admission that we can fix local government,” Bhengu said, referencing the ANC’s declaration that 2026 is the year of decisively fixing local government. The party aims to attract more competent individuals at both political and administrative levels to improve service delivery and transform the economy.
When asked whether this model would extend to national leadership positions, such as the party’s top seven, Bhengu clarified that internal ANC leadership elections are governed by the party’s constitution and cannot be altered without constitutional amendments. This change applies specifically to mayoral candidates in local government.
Bhengu highlighted that measuring integrity and competence involves reviewing candidates’ records in parliament or professional roles, adherence to codes of ethics, and their conduct in communities.
In response to a listener poll on the show where 74% of respondents felt the new approach would have no real impact, Bhengu noted that 15% viewing it positively represented an important start. She encouraged ongoing communication about the decision, suggesting repeated polling would better reflect its reception.
The ANC maintains it is well within its timeframes and will conduct the process with the seriousness required to strengthen local governance.
