ANC to headhunt mayoral candidates for metros and cities

In a break from tradition, the African National Congress (ANC) will be shopping around for suitable mayoral candidates to contest the upcoming local government elections in the country’s eight metros and 22 secondary cities.

The party will also be inviting communities to make nominations to lead these local councils.

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said the decision to headhunt candidates followed an assessment of the poor performance of municipal councils that had eroded public trust.

Mbalula said that persistent and systemic challenges in local government had forced the party to come up with a new strategy to pick its council leaders.

He said the party would be taking extraordinary steps to ensure the leadership deployed to municipalities was capable, ethical, disciplined and accountable.

"The ANC will embark on an intensive national process of identifying and headhunting capable mayoral candidates from across society," said Mbalula. "This includes experienced public representatives, professionals, community leaders, veterans of government, and individuals with proven leadership track records and governance capability."

Mbalula said the party’s electoral committee, provincial list committees and vetting structures would ensure that all candidates met the required standards, including qualifications, ethical standing and organisational discipline.

"The ANC is clear. Leadership must be earned through merit, discipline and capacity," he said.

Branches have already been instructed to begin their candidate selection processes, which they are expected to conclude by June.

While the ANC does not traditionally announce its mayoral candidates ahead of elections, Mbalula said that this time around, the successful candidates would be made known by mid-year.