{
  "id": 2821314,
  "title": "NT - ANC keeps mayoral candidates under wraps ahead of elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/nt-anc-keeps-mayoral-candidates-under-wraps-ahead-of-elections",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/2026-08-23-nt-anc-keeps-mayoral-candidates-under-wraps-ahead-of-elections/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The African National Congress (ANC) has decided to keep the identity of its mayoral candidates under wraps ahead of the November 4 local government elections. Initially, the party had promised to announce its candidates at 11am on November 3 at the Sandton Convention Centre, but Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula changed the announcement to the following month. The selected candidates have undergone rigorous interviews and are now shortlisted for the positions.\n\nMbalula stated that provinces will finalize their candidate lists, which will then be adopted by the national executive committee before the final announcement. He expressed confidence in the ANC's process of selecting mayoral candidates, noting that the party requires certain qualities and educational qualifications for the mayoral candidate. Mbalula also mentioned that the ANC is not in a rush to announce the candidates as its campaign is not driven by specific candidates.\n\nThe shortlisted candidates include Dada Morero, Frank Chikane, and Loyiso Masuku for the City of Johannesburg, Cyril Xaba, Thabani Nyawose, Nomusa Dube, Maggie Govender, and Minah Lesoma for eThekwini, and Mzimkhulu Thebolla for Msunduzi. Chris Ndlela, Bishop Vusi Dube, Sibongile Dlamini-Mabaso, Ningi Mbanjwa, and Zenzele Msomi are also shortlisted for various municipalities. Additionally, Inkosi Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, is among those earmarked to contest for the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality.",
  "summary": "The ANC has postponed the announcement of its mayoral candidates for the upcoming local government elections, leaving the nation in suspense.",
  "key_points": [
    "ANC keeps mayoral candidates secret ahead of Nov 4 elections.",
    "Candidates undergo rigorous interviews, shortlisted for positions.",
    "Shortlisted include Dada Morero, Frank Chikane, and Cyril Xaba."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}