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ANC Centralizes Mayoral Selection, Expands Search Beyond Party Lines

The overhaul signals a bid to rebuild metro governance by elevating merit over seniority.

Overview

  • The ANC, which outlined the plan Monday at Luthuli House, will headhunt mayoral candidates across society and invite public nominations, including non-ANC figures.
  • Nominees will face national interviews, background checks and skills tests overseen by top officials, with former president Kgalema Motlanthe running the elections process.
  • Regional chairpersons will no longer have an automatic path to mayor, as national leaders will independently assess regional and provincial recommendations.
  • Metros must meet eight minimum commitments by 30 June or risk losing grant funding, using tight conditions to push basic service delivery and accountability.
  • The party detailed a wider fix-it drive that includes turnaround plans in eight priority municipalities, service-delivery war rooms in all provinces and a rapid-response team that reports resolving more than 320 high-priority cases.