JOHANNESBURG, Friday 23 October 2026 — The African National Congress (ANC) will leave the final selection of its Johannesburg mayoral candidate to national party officials after the 4 November local government elections, secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has confirmed.
The decision comes amid disagreements between the party’s national leadership and its Johannesburg regional structures over who should lead the country’s largest metropolitan municipality.
The ANC has identified incumbent Mayor Dada Morero, Deputy Mayor Loyiso Masuku and veteran political figure Frank Chikane among those considered for the position.
National officials retain authority over mayoral selection
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Mbalula said the ANC’s national officials would make the final decision after the elections.
He maintained that individuals seeking mayoral positions should first focus on campaigning for the party.
According to Mbalula, the ANC had completed its interview and shortlisting processes.
However, the final appointment decision would remain with national leadership.
He said regional structures could express their preferences but did not have the authority to determine the party’s final mayoral choice.
Johannesburg region questions selection process
The clarification follows concerns raised by Johannesburg regional secretary Sasa Manganye.
According to The Citizen, Manganye questioned the decision to retain several possible mayoral candidates rather than identify a single preferred candidate.
His comments were reportedly made during an event commemorating ANC struggle veteran Albertina Sisulu.
The disagreement reflects continuing tensions over the party’s Johannesburg leadership arrangements.
The ANC’s Johannesburg regional chairperson, Loyiso Masuku, has received support from structures seeking her appointment as mayor.
However, the national leadership has maintained that the selection process cannot be determined solely by regional preferences.
Three candidates previously shortlisted
The ANC announced Morero, Masuku and Chikane as potential Johannesburg mayoral candidates in August.
All three had previously participated in the party’s selection process.
Morero currently leads the metropolitan municipality.
Masuku serves as deputy mayor and chairs the ANC’s Johannesburg region.
Chikane is a senior ANC figure who has served in government and party leadership structures.
The party has presented its candidate-selection system as an effort to prioritise leadership ability, experience and administrative competence.
However, the Johannesburg process has also exposed disagreements over the relationship between national and regional authority.
ANC faces competitive mayoral contest
Johannesburg is expected to be one of the most closely contested municipalities in the November elections.
The Democratic Alliance has selected Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate.
ActionSA is campaigning under party president Herman Mashaba, who previously served as Johannesburg mayor.
Other parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters, are also contesting the municipality.
The ANC enters the election after a period of political instability in Johannesburg, where changing coalition arrangements have repeatedly affected municipal leadership.
The party will need to assess its electoral position before determining whether it can retain the mayoralty.
Coalition negotiations could influence outcome
The ANC’s decision to finalise its mayoral choice after the election means that its preferred candidate will not necessarily be determined before voters go to the polls.
The eventual selection may also be influenced by the composition of the incoming council.
If no party secures an outright majority, coalition negotiations could determine which candidate is able to obtain sufficient support to become mayor.
Under South Africa’s municipal system, executive mayors are elected by councillors rather than directly by voters.
The ANC’s internal nomination process therefore does not automatically determine who will occupy the office.
Final decision expected after polls
Mbalula has urged ANC structures to prioritise campaigning and avoid internal disagreements over positions.
The party’s national leadership will retain responsibility for making the final selection.
No announcement has been made removing Morero, Masuku or Chikane from consideration.
The decision leaves the ANC’s Johannesburg mayoral position unresolved as campaigning enters its final stages.
The outcome will depend on the party’s post-election decision and the balance of power in the newly elected metropolitan council.
