JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The African National Congress’s delayed announcement of its final ANC mayoral candidates has exposed deep internal divisions and unresolved negotiations within the party, according to Wits Emeritus Professor Susan Booysen. As the race for the City of Johannesburg heats up ahead of the November local government elections, this incomplete nomination process raises critical questions about the party’s readiness and unity in highly contested metropolitan areas.
While the ANC recently unveiled a preliminary list of mayoral nominees—including incumbent Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero and Nomusa Dube-Ncube for key metropolitan areas—the final candidates will only be confirmed in September. Professor Booysen noted that despite the fanfare of a major staged event in Johannesburg, the epicenter of the ANC’s electoral battles, the selection process remains conspicuously incomplete.
“It was just a list of names, and we do not know the exact reasons at this stage,” Professor Booysen explained. She pointed to probable internal ruptures and incomplete negotiations, particularly in fiercely contested municipalities like Johannesburg, where the pacification of potential losing candidates has not yet been finalized.
Historically, the ANC has avoided announcing candidates before elections, with rare exceptions such as the contentious Tshwane mayoral candidate announcement that previously led to internal upheaval. However, the party is currently under immense pressure from opposition parties, which are finalizing their own nominations amid growing public criticism regarding the quality, integrity, and anti-corruption records of potential ANC candidates.
The ANC Secretary General recently stated in a media interview that the final names would be announced in the course of September. Professor Booysen highlighted that this delay is strategic but risky. In the past, the party hesitated to announce high-profile candidates early, fearing they might not campaign as vigorously if their positions were already secured and not dependent on their election effort.
Compounding this challenge is the intensified political battle against the MK party. Following the 2024 elections in KwaZulu-Natal, where unsuccessful ANC candidates who missed the PR election list defected to the MK party and secured positions there, the ANC is reportedly mindful that premature announcements could induce further defections to rival parties still finalizing their senior nominations, including in the Eastern Cape.
While breaking rank with tradition to announce some nominees early could project an image of unity, Professor Booysen cautioned that it remains unclear which municipalities have actually reached consensus. The urgent task for the ANC is to conclude these negotiations swiftly, as the credibility of their campaign promises hinges entirely on the quality and canvassing power of the candidates they present.
This credibility gap is further complicated by the party’s campaign messaging. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently emphasized the need for ethical leaders who will not abuse tender processes or enrich family, friends, and acquaintances. Yet, the ANC faces a steep uphill battle in positioning itself as the solution to Johannesburg’s systemic problems, given its tenure in power until 2016 and subsequent periods of coalition governance.
“The promises they have to make to survive this election play exactly on the topics on which they have been failing,” Professor Booysen observed, citing Auditor General reports and lived experiences that point to ongoing corruption and unethical leadership in a large proportion of cases where the ANC has held or shared power.
Rebuilding voter trust will require more than just current-day assurances. Professor Booysen noted that the ANC will need to craft highly convincing campaign slogans, as previous mantras like “Together we can build communities,” “Together we move South Africa forward,” and “Together we bring growth to South Africa” may no longer resonate with an electorate that has largely lost faith in the party’s ability to govern effectively and fulfill its renewing commitments.