ANC to Headhunt Mayoral Candidates Outside Party Ranks Amid Local Government Performance Crisis

Fikile Mbalula announces the ANC will recruit mayoral candidates for metros and cities from civil society to fix municipal dysfunction by June.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 4:29 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN.

A Shift in Traditional Recruitment

The African National Congress is departing from its historical reluctance to name mayoral candidates before local government elections. On April 11, 2026, Secretary General Fikile Mbalula detailed a new local government action plan designed to address widespread municipal dysfunction. The party intends to headhunt leadership talent for eight metros and 22 cities, signaling that the previous reliance on councillor candidate lists as the sole indicator of mayoral prospects is no longer sufficient to meet governance challenges.

Expanding the Leadership Pool

Mbalula stated that the ANC is prepared to cast a wider net, reaching into the public service and civil society to find individuals capable of turning around failing municipalities. While the party has not yet finalized whether non,members will be permitted to stand as candidates, the new approach allows for nominations to be submitted directly to Luthuli House. Mbalula emphasized that this strategy is a deliberate effort to expand the leadership pool while ensuring all recruits remain rooted in the values and discipline of the organization.

The Role of the Top 7

The selection process will be centralized, with the party’s Top 7 officials responsible for perusing shortlists and making final recommendations. Mbalula clarified that the ANC is not looking for "messiahs" but rather individuals who are prepared to serve the public through the party's platform. This top,down oversight is intended to ensure that the headhunted candidates align with the strategic goals of the national leadership while maintaining accountability to the ANC’s political mandate.