ANC says at least 70% of its candidates for municipal elections must have prior experience in govt

The African National Congress (ANC) has resolved that at least 70% of its candidates for the upcoming local government elections must have prior experience in any sphere of government.

The party’s electoral committee has released the minimum criteria that members must meet to qualify for seats in municipal councils across the country.

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This move is aimed at ensuring the ANC’s candidate lists are made up of qualified, experienced, and capable councillors.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, ANC electoral committee chairperson, Kgalema Motlanthe, stressed that the majority of candidates must be well-versed in governance.

"For continuity and government experience, at least 70% of the candidates must have previous experience in any sphere of government, as successful and effective public representatives, members of the executive, or as officials employed in government, any time in the last 31 years. This does not mean retaining 70% of current councillors. It means casting the net as widely as possible to find all the best talent we have deployed over the years in all parts of government."