More than 5,000 people have applied to be considered for ANC mayoral positions in metropolitan municipalities ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with only 150 candidates expected to proceed to interviews.
The much-anticipated local government elections will be held in November 2026.
Speaking at a media briefing this week following the ANC National Working Committee (NWC) meeting at Chief Albert Luthuli House in Johannesburg, Fikile Mbalula said the party was finalising its candidate selection process.
"We are going to launch our manifesto in August. We are finalising the selection of our candidates in July," he said.
Mbalula said the announcement of mayoral candidates for metropolitan municipalities and secondary cities, initially scheduled for June 27, had been postponed until the end of July.
