ANC Overhauls Mayoral Candidate Selection Process Ahead of 2024 Local Elections
The African National Congress (ANC) is reshaping how it chooses its mayoral candidates for the upcoming local government elections, a move that could revive the influence of the party’s veteran leaders while curbing long‑standing regional gatekeeping.
From Regional Gatekeeping to National Oversight
Historically, provincial and regional structures held decisive sway over who appeared on the ANC’s mayoral ballots. Power brokers at the district level could veto candidates they deemed inconvenient, effectively shaping the party’s electoral slate for more than a decade.
Under the revised framework announced at a recent election‑schedule meeting, national officials will now conduct formal interviews and make the final selection. Provincial and regional bodies retain the right to submit names and make recommendations, but the ultimate authority rests with the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
The NEC will measure each nominee against minimum standards it has set for integrity, competence, and electoral viability. This shift is intended to reduce the ability of any single regional bloc to block candidates outright.
Re‑engaging Veteran Leaders
Sources familiar with the discussions told Business Day that the idea of bringing seasoned party veterans back into the fold was raised during the meeting. An insider involved in the talks explained:
“We need experienced people who can bring back the voters the party lost.”
The ANC’s leadership believes that tapping into the experience of elder statesmen and women could help reconnect with constituencies that have drifted away in recent elections. By centralising the decision‑making process, the party hopes to vet these veterans rigorously while giving them a clearer path to nomination.
Timeline and Electoral Context
The ANC does not expect to finalise its mayoral candidate list until June, a date that coincides with the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) voter‑registration weekend. This timing places the party behind several opposition formations that have already been mobilising for months.
According to the IEC’s 2023‑2024 election calendar, the voter‑registration drive runs from 24 to 26 May 2024, with the candidate nomination window opening shortly thereafter. The ANC’s delayed finalisation means it will have less time to conduct ground‑level canvassing and to integrate its chosen candidates into local campaign structures.
Ensuring Transparency and Limiting Manipulation
To bolster confidence in the new system, the ANC has introduced a three‑phase selection process:
- Phase 1 – Branch General Meeting (BGM): Each branch nominates up to four candidates.
- Phase 2 – Community Town Hall: The four names are presented to the broader community, which discusses their potential, competencies, and relevant skills.
- Phase 3 – Final Branch Vote: A show‑of‑hands vote at the branch level determines the nominee, with the least‑favoured regional candidate replaceable by the community‑preferred choice.
Livhuwani Matsila, secretary of the ANC’s electoral committee, told Business Day that the process is designed to limit manipulation, although he acknowledged that complete elimination of influence‑peddling is unrealistic.
“The background music [branch general meeting] would produce four candidates. Then we go to the community meeting with the four candidates and present them in terms of their potential and competencies, including the skills they have.”
Matsila also confirmed that election officers have been appointed at the branch level and that the overall list‑building process remains on track.
By centralising authority, re‑introducing veteran expertise, and layering community input, the ANC aims to produce a slate that is both credible and competitive. Whether this recalibrated approach will close the gap with rivals remains to be seen, but the party’s leadership insists the changes are necessary steps toward restoring voter confidence ahead of the 2024 local elections.
