President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed on stage all the mayoral candidates who were selected to contest for the ANC in the upcoming local government elections.

The President said the move to interview mayoral candidates was introduced to ensure that voters get leaders who can deliver quality services and respond effectively to the needs of communities.

The ANC conducted interviews with more than 1,000 candidates nationwide, with only a select few making it to the final round.

Those who are selected will contest the relevant positions and, once elected, will be expected to fulfil the mandate given to them by voters.

How does the process work?

1. The ANC interviews and shortlists candidates for each local municipality and metropolitan municipality.
2. A few of these candidates make it to the final round, with two or more candidates becoming finalists.
3. The ANC then announces which candidate will become the final mayoral candidate for that municipality or metro.

For example, in Ekurhuleni, the ANC has selected four candidates. Only one of them will ultimately be chosen as the ANC’s mayoral candidate.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “Tenders must be awarded on merit, and the mayor must attend to issues facing our communities on a daily basis.”

There were about 40 candidates shortlisted for the mayoral selection process, with only a few expected to make it through to contest for leadership positions in the eight metropolitan municipalities, if elected.

The process is being presented as a significant move, giving the public an opportunity to witness candidates being interviewed before the final selection is made.

ANC leadership asked current-serving mayors questions about their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and their performance in office.

Non-serving candidates were asked questions about municipal finances, what contribution they could make, and whether they could make a difference for ANC voters and the communities they would serve.

The candidates ranged in age from 19 to 75 years old, with the average age of those considered being around 53.

President Ramaphosa appealed to South Africans to give the ANC another chance and vote for the liberation movement.

The President also emphasised what he described as the ANC government’s achievements since apartheid, including increased access to electricity, clean water in previously underserved communities, education and other basic government services that were previously restricted or unavailable to many South Africans. He also highlighted universal access to social grants.

The event was held in Sandton, Johannesburg.