By Thapelo Molefe
The ANC has opened a public nomination process for the selection of its mayoral candidates for the 2026 local government elections, saying the initiative forms part of its renewal programme and efforts to rebuild struggling municipalities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said members of the public may nominate candidates for mayoral positions in the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities, as well as 22 secondary cities and towns.
The governing party said the process follows resolutions taken during its 114th anniversary celebrations held in Moruleng in January, where 2026 was declared “The Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government and Transform the Economy”.
“The African National Congress, in this hour, turns to the people of South Africa and asks the country to participate directly in identifying those who will carry the responsibility of municipal leadership as Mayors in the next term,” Bhengu said.
The ANC said non-members will also be allowed to participate in the nomination process and may even nominate themselves for consideration.
“This invitation is genuinely open to all. Any South African who is not a card-carrying member of the movement may nominate a fellow citizen of integrity and capacity,” the party said.
According to the ANC, the public nomination stream is one of six channels through which candidates will be identified.
Other nominations will come from provincial and regional ANC structures, alliance partners including the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) and the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa), as well as the party’s leagues and sectoral structures.
The party said its officials would shortlist, interview and select candidates from the nominations received.
The ANC linked the process to its broader renewal agenda amid growing public dissatisfaction with local government performance in several municipalities across the country.
“The renewal of the African National Congress and of its alliance is the most pressing organisational task of this generation,” Bhengu said.
The party said it was looking for candidates capable of restoring basic municipal services.
“We are choosing, in this cycle, those who will restore the water and the lights, fix the potholes, clear the refuse, keep the municipal offices honest, and bring local government back to the standard the Freedom Charter has always demanded of it,” Bhengu said.
The local government elections are expected to take place on November 4.
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