ANC to finalise more than 10,000 election candidates within days, says Mbalula

By Thapelo Molefe

The ANC says it has completed interviews for mayoral candidates and is in the final stages of confirming more than 10,000 candidates who will contest the 2026 Local Government Elections, with the selection process expected to be concluded within the next week.

Speaking to reporters in Diepsloot on Sunday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party would finalise its candidate list within days before shifting its full focus to campaigning and the launch of its election manifesto later this month.

The event formed part of the ANC’s voter registration campaign ahead of the local government elections, as political parties across the country urged eligible South Africans to register during the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) final voter registration weekend.

“We are done with mayoral candidates. This is the last weekend. We are extending to the next week. We are cleaning out. The ANC is doing a marvellous job.