ANC to field Moerane for Joburg mayor

The ANC will nominate Mpho Moerane as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, the party said on Sunday evening. 

Luthuli House has finally released names of its mayoral candidates for SA's major municipalities following its contentious internal processes. 

Its efforts to retain control of key hung metros through a working coalition with smaller parties remained in limbo on Sunday evening. 

Earlier in the day the party’s national executive committee met and approved the list of candidates. 

In Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay, the party also approved the nomination of Frans Boshielo, Mzwandile Masina and Eugene Johnson respectively.

The consideration of the candidates followed a nationwide selection process that included interviews of all the aspirant mayors for metro, local and district councils, including those that were hung as no party won a majority during the recent local government elections.

In a statement following its meeting, the ANC said it was satisfied that the outcome of its process was in line with its renewal efforts to select those with capabilities, including qualifications and experience. 

While the party failed to ensure the formation of a coalition partnership, it said it would seek to cooperate with all the parties committed to the principles outlined in its manifesto for local government. 

“The NEC noted that these discussions have concluded and all municipalities will convene by the statutory deadline of Tuesday, 23 November 2021 to elect mayors and other office-bearers. The ANC will create a political management committee that will be a reference point for resolving problems should they arise with any of our coalition partners in the municipalities,” the party said.

The party admitted that while it secured more support than any other party, voters had given it a clear message by the electoral setback it had suffered.

“The ANC must do better, we must serve them better and we must work harder to correct the movement,” the ANC said.

The Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay councils were scheduled to hold their meetings on Monday while Tshwane was set to hold its sitting on Tuesday, which was the deadline for councils to convene and begin forming governments after the polls, in terms of the law.

Meanwhile, in Gauteng, ANC Emfuleni Ward 21 candidate Sipho Radebe will be fielded as a mayoral candidate for the troubled municipality.

The party will nominate former municipal spokesperson Lucky Sele as its mayoral candidate in Mogale City, another hung municipality in the province.