The ANC in the Free State and Limpopo has deviated from the party's strict criteria on electing a mayor, opting to go for experience over qualifications.
The party in the Free State came to the defence of Matjhabeng mayor-elect Thanduxolo Khalipha, saying he had “strategic leadership” skills amid allegations that he did not qualify to be mayor as he allegedly did not possess a matric certificate.
In the Eastern Cape, the party's provincial spokesperson Lulama Ngcukayitobi admitted that extensive experience was taken into consideration but maintained no candidate without a matric or post-matric qualification had been interviewed by the provincial executive committee.
On Tuesday, the Free State's full report of the interview process of mayoral candidates from municipalities in the province was leaked on social media before it was formally given to lower structures yesterday, with Khalipha edging the two candidates he was nominated with for Matjhabeng.
In its remarks, the interview panel indicated that Khalipha, a former ANC MP, had “demonstrated an understanding of the municipality and had necessary maturity and vision to lead the municipality”.
Yesterday, ANC's provincial spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane, said the party was happy with Khalipha leading the embattled municipality.
Khoabane said Khalipha had enough experience and leadership qualities.
“What counts most is strategic leadership in the institution. We are comfortable with his leadership as the ANC. Even the panel sees him as the person best placed to lead.
“If the panel, through the interview, can get impressed with the vision he is having, especially in relation to challenges that the institution is battling with, I think that is sufficient,” Khalipha said.
Before the recent municipal elections the ANC committed, as it visited some of the most troubled municipalities, that it would implement its decision and only select the most suitably qualified from its ranks to lead local government.
In the Eastern Cape, Sowetan understands that at least seven people were disqualified from being interviewed for the posts of speaker, mayor, deputy mayor and chief whip.
The candidates were a mayoral candidate for Amathole district municipality, two speaker candidates in Port St Johns, another in Intsika Yethu, a mayoral candidate in Engcobo, a deputy mayor candidate in OR Tambo district and in Nelson Mandela Bay, one candidate was rejected by the provincial executive committee.
Speaking on these candidates, Ngcukayitobi said he did not want to use the word 'reject' but rather the ANC prioritised candidates with the best qualification.
He said no interviews were done with candidates that did not have post-matric qualifications.
“For mayoral positions we’ve interviewed those with tertiary qualifications and 10 years' leadership roles within the ANC. People with five years' leadership experience in local government and the private sector have also been interviewed and also people who have had experience in leadership in a complex environment that employs not less than 100 people in a metro or 50 in a municipality in general,” Ngcukayitobi said.
In Limpopo, the ANC is said to have also chosen experience over qualifications when it elected its mayoral candidates.
The PEC in the province allegedly recommended to the national executive committee the names of Julia Mathebe as mayor of Sekhukhune district municipality and Maria Thamaga as mayor of Blouberg.
“They all have experience in the local government sphere, hence the PEC agreed that they should be unveiled as mayors despite the fact that they don't have qualifications. The candidates excelled and impressed panellists [more] than those who are graduates,” a PEC member who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
Another PEC member said: “We can't throw them into the political wilderness because they lack a degree or diploma. These comrades are an asset because they know the system in and out.”
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