{
  "id": 3270882,
  "title": "ANC not allowing candidates without matric to stand as councillors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/anc-not-allowing-candidates-without-matric-to-stand-as-councillors",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T12:17:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/anc-not-allowing-candidates-without-matric-to-stand-as-councillors/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The African National Congress (ANC) has ruled out any candidates vying for councillor positions in the upcoming local government elections without a matric certificate. According to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, only incumbents lacking matric can apply for a waiver through the electoral committee. Some provincial secretaries have petitioned the party to grant waivers for prospective councillors lacking matric. The party is currently convening a special extended national executive committee meeting to finalize its candidate list. Mbalula emphasized that ward candidates, who have garnered community support and love, but lack matric, can apply for a waiver to the Electoral Commission.",
  "summary": "Some provincial secretaries have written to the party seeking waivers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}