ANC yet to decide whether non-members can be recruited to stand as mayoral candidates

The African National Congress (ANC) said that it’s yet to decide whether non-members can be recruited to stand as mayoral candidates in metros and major cities, as it plans to headhunt people beyond its traditional party structures.

The party’s secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, on Friday announced that the party will be casting its net across the public service and civil society in search of suitable candidates to turn around the dysfunction in local municipalities.

Mbalula said that nominations can even be submitted directly to its headquarters in Luthuli House.

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The ANC has traditionally shied away from announcing mayoral candidates ahead of local government elections, with councillor candidate lists usually the only indicator of who might become the party’s top leader in councils.

But it’s no longer business as usual, according to the local government action plan announced by Mbalula on Friday.

"This approach deliberately expands the pool of leadership beyond our robust internal ANC processes while remaining firmly rooted in the values and discipline of the organisation."

Mbalula said that the party’s top 7 will peruse the shortlists and make recommendations.

"We don’t want messiahs. We want people who are prepared to serve the people and who are prepared to serve in the platform of the ANC."

Mbalula said that mayors will be expected to sign delivery agreements with the party, which will be regularly reviewed.

The party said that it will announce its candidates for eight metros and 22 cities by the end of June.