JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The African National Congress (ANC) has officially unveiled its slate of mayoral candidates ahead of the crucial local government elections, even as independent political analysts project the ruling party may secure under 25% of the vote. The announcement, led by ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, marks a strategic shift toward capability-driven deployments, though the party faces steep challenges from widespread voter fatigue and historical dissatisfaction with municipal service delivery.
Independent political analyst Sipho Masigo noted that while the ANC has a history of publicly acknowledging its internal challenges, the current electoral landscape is unforgiving. Recent polling suggests the ANC could receive between 18% and 22% in major metropolitan areas. This firmly places projections under 25%, reflecting a consistent five-year electoral decline and deep-seated election fatigue, particularly among younger demographics who currently feel alienated from the political process.
The newly introduced vetting process, overseen by the party’s National Working Committee, has put forward several significant names for major metros. In Tshwane, Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Transport MMC Tlangi Mogale are highlighted as strong, capable contenders. In Johannesburg, the nominee list includes Dada Morero, Lisa Masuku, and Reverend Frank Chikane, alongside Ekurhuleni’s current mayor, Mandla Mandela.
Aligning with the national celebration of Women’s Month, the ANC emphasized that 54% of its mayoral candidates are women. Masigo highlighted this as a continuation of the party’s three-decade trend of actively elevating women to top leadership positions across parliament, the National Executive Committee (NEC), and provincial structures, ensuring representation that mirrors the country’s largest demographic.
During the announcement, the ANC President openly acknowledged severe municipal challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, corruption, wasteful expenditure, unresponsive mayors, and the inability of many municipalities to pay their creditors. Masigo observed that while voters’ lived experiences of potholes, uncollected refuse, and dry taps reflect a strong perception of failure, the ANC leadership is attempting to take accountability. However, the party must navigate the complicating factor of unstable coalition administrations that have governed many metros since 2016, which have often led to acting officials and a lack of clear accountability.
Retaining the Johannesburg mayoral seat will be a fierce contest against competitive opposition figures, including the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille and Herman Mashaba. Masigo pointed out that voter turnout demographics in Johannesburg currently skew toward white voters, who historically participate at higher rates. This makes it critical for the ANC to re-engage disillusioned voters and the youth, emphasizing tangible service delivery over mere political allegiance.
The ANC President stressed that the new selection process moves the party from a culture of entitlement to one of capabilities, showcasing nominees who are doctors, lawyers, and highly qualified professionals. However, Masigo cautioned that educational qualifications do not automatically guarantee effective governance or financial accountability, citing past instances where highly qualified officials still failed to meet Auditor-General standards.
Furthermore, the ANC President reiterated that successful mayors will be placed on a performance radar with strict indicators and swift interventions where they fail. While this echoes previous promises regarding cabinet ministers and MPs, Masigo noted that the true test for the ANC will be the actual, visible implementation of these performance management measures at the local government level. As the election date approaches, the party’s ability to translate this vetted lineup into tangible community results will determine whether it can reverse its declining electoral trajectory.