{
  "id": 2572990,
  "title": "ANC names Chikane, Morero and Masuku as potential Johannesburg mayoral candidates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/anc-names-chikane-morero-and-masuku-as-potential-johannesburg-mayoral",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T12:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-08-22-anc-names-chikane-morero-and-masuku-as-potential-johannesburg-mayoral-candidates/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The African National Congress (ANC) has named Frank Chikane, Dada Morero, and Loyiso Masuku as potential mayoral candidates for Johannesburg in the upcoming local government elections on November 4. This announcement was made by ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula at a gathering in Sandton. Chikane, Morero, and Masuku are among the candidates being considered for the Johannesburg mayoral position, with one of them expected to be selected as the ANC's official candidate for the city. Johannesburg is anticipated to be one of the ANC's most closely watched contests, with Chikane considered the frontrunner. The chosen candidate will face a competitive field, including Helen Zille from the DA, Herman Mashaba from ActionSA, Tlaleng Mofokeng from the EFF, Kenny Kunene from the Patriotic Alliance, Mlungisi Mabaso from the IFP, Lukhona Mnguni from Rise Mzansi, and Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster from Build One South Africa, among others. The Johannesburg mayoral race is expected to be one of the most contentious local government contests in the country, as the city continues to grapple with issues such as poor service delivery, crime, corruption, power and water shortages, potholes, and overcrowding in informal settlements. Mbalula clarified that the Saturday announcement pertained to potential mayoral candidates, not the final selections, stating that the party would reveal its official candidates in September. He dismissed reports of Chikane withdrawing from the race, calling them a lie. The ANC is confident in its candidate selection process and has raised the standards for mayoral candidates, emphasizing that a mayor must possess certain qualities and possess a certain level of education.",
  "summary": "The African National Congress (ANC) has announced veteran Frank Chikane, City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero and deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku as potential mayoral candidates for the city ahead of the November 4 local government elections.",
  "key_points": [
    "Announcement made by ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula at Sandton gathering.",
    "Chikane considered frontrunner, final selections to be revealed in September."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "ANC names Dada Morero among Joburg mayoral candidates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/anc-names-dada-morero-among-joburg-mayoral-candidates",
        "published": "2026-08-22T13:22:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}