ANC mayoral candidates will need to pass through eye of the needle, says Mbalula

The African National Congress (ANC) will implement rigorous screening for metro mayoral candidates, including those not traditionally tied to the party, ahead of the 2026 local government elections. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula stated candidates must demonstrate strong capabilities to manage cities like Johannesburg, emphasizing that success won’t be left to chance. The party’s approach expands beyond its usual practice of selecting internal candidates, now actively headhunting skilled individuals to drive development and service delivery. Mbalula announced this during a speech at the party’s Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg on Tuesday, following the national executive committee meeting. This strategy builds on the ANC’s past efforts to include community participation in selecting ward councillors, where popular local figures were nominated. However, mayoral candidates will face additional scrutiny from the party’s top seven officials due to the massive budgets—often in the billions of rand—under their control. Mbalula clarified that candidates must support ANC policies, join the party, and undergo thorough vetting. While the party has experimented with similar processes before, this marks a more extensive effort to ensure accountability in leadership roles. The goal is to maintain control and effectiveness in managing municipal finances and local economies.