The ANC has opened its nomination process for non party members to become mayors in the upcoming local government elections.
In a significant break from long-standing party tradition, the African National Congress (ANC) has opened its mayoral selection process to the public, inviting ordinary South Africans, including non-party members, to nominate candidates for the 2026 local government elections.
The move forms part of the party’s newly established Centralised Mayoral Selection Programme and marks the first time the ANC has formally stated that party membership is not a requirement for consideration for some of the country’s most influential local government positions.
Under the process, members of the public can submit nominations for mayoral candidates across South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities and 28 key secondary cities. The system also allows individuals to nominate themselves.
According to internal ANC guidelines, successful candidates who are not ANC members will only need to formalise their membership and sign a declaration under Rule 4.16 of the ANC Constitution before the final candidates are announced, which is expected to happen by June 26, 2026.
