ANC Delays Mayoral Candidate Announcement as Mbalula Sets Two-Week Timeline

The African National Congress (ANC) will only announce its final mayoral candidates after the results of the 2026 local government elections have been released and studied.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party wants to understand its performance in different municipalities before making the final announcement.

Mbalula spoke about the matter on Wednesday, 4 November, after casting his vote at Orange Grove Primary School in Johannesburg.

Although the ANC has completed its process of selecting preferred mayoral candidates, their names have not yet been officially confirmed.

The party has already released a shortlist of 42 people being considered for mayoral positions across the country.

In Johannesburg, the names on the list include current mayor Dada Morero, deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku and ANC veteran Frank Chikane.

In Tshwane, the candidates include Aaron Maluleka, Kgoši Maepa, Chana Pilane-Majake and Tlangi Mogale.

Ekurhuleni also has several people being considered, including current mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi.

Mbalula said the ANC expected to make the announcement within two weeks after receiving the election results from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

He explained that the party had focused its election campaign on its record and the problems affecting communities rather than making the campaign about individual mayoral candidates.

The ANC secretary-general also addressed questions about possible coalition agreements with other political parties.

He said the party was not currently negotiating with any political organisation and that all coalition discussions would be handled by its national leadership, known as the top seven.

Mbalula also warned regional ANC leaders against holding their own coalition discussions.

The party will now wait for the election outcome before deciding where it can lead municipalities and which candidates will take up mayoral positions.

The announcement is expected to bring clarity to the ANC’s leadership plans in major municipalities, including Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/elections/mbalula-anc-mayoral-candidates-election-results/

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