The people shall govern: Fikile April Mbalula, secretary-general of the ANC, at a conference in the West Rand. Photo: Supplied
Facing what may be its toughest local government election battle yet, the ANC has decided to look beyond its own ranks in its search for mayoral candidates across the county’s metros and municipalities.
The move follows the party’s bruising performance in the 2024 national elections, when it fell below 50% for the first time since the advent of democracy and lost its outright majority.
On Wednesday, the party announced it had opened public nominations for the centralised selection of ANC mayoral candidates in the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities and 22 secondary cities and towns.
In a statement, the party said it wanted to turn to the people of South Africa and ask the country to participate directly in identifying those who will carry the responsibility of municipal leadership as mayors in the next term.
