The ANC's efforts to prepare for the 2026 local government elections have been questioned, with concerns raised about the party's ability to field suitably qualified candidates. The ANC's electoral committee, chaired by Kgalema Motlanthe, recently released the party's 2026 Local Government Elections Candidate Selection Rules, Guidelines and Procedures. The guidelines state that candidates must possess a matric qualification and/or have the capacity, experience, education or expertise to make a constructive contribution within the municipal council.
The ANC's 53rd national conference in 2012 declared a Decade of the Cadre, which aimed to provide ideological, political, academic and moral training to ANC members. The decade-long program ended in 2023, but it is unclear whether the objectives were fulfilled. A 2015 opinion piece highlighted the need for ANC members to acquire qualifications, citing the party's 2000 national general council resolutions. The piece noted that some objectives set for the Decade of the Cadre were not met, and no one was held accountable.
The ANC's guidelines for candidate selection set a higher threshold for mayor, speaker, and chief whip, requiring a tertiary qualification from an accredited institution. However, some argue that this is too little, too late, and that the party should have identified progressive engineers with proven experience to lead municipalities. The ANC's electoral committee has also issued a directive requiring candidates who have had their matric qualification requirement waived to commit to acquiring a matric qualification or an accredited qualification at NQF 4 or higher within 12 months of being an ANC councillor.
ANC candidates without a matric qualification or equivalent have options to acquire a qualification. The department of higher education and training has introduced occupational qualifications, providing opportunities for access and quality. Community Education and Training (CET) Colleges, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges, and other institutions offer pathways for candidates to gain a qualification. Some institutions have already closed their application windows for the 2027 academic year, while others will close soon.
Candidates who do not want to miss the December 2027 deadline to obtain a matric or equivalent qualification should visit a CET or TVET college for information and apply to study. Depending on the circumstances, one pathway to gain access is through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The RPL access path has specific criteria and an application process, requiring relevant work experience and catering to a particular age cohort.
CET colleges offer a pathway for direct access to the National Senior Certificate, while TVET colleges and universities offer RPL pathways. The National School of Government has also received accreditation to offer Occupational Certificates. ANC candidates who have had their matric requirement waived must adhere to the commitment to acquire a qualification by December 2027, or risk removal as an ANC councillor.
The ANC's challenges in fielding qualified candidates have raised concerns about the party's ability to deliver services and renew its leadership. The party's focus on the campaign and organization has been questioned, with some arguing that distractions should be deferred. The ANC's electoral committee has emphasized the importance of qualifications and experience in candidate selection, but it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to address the party's challenges.
Key points
- The ANC's electoral committee has set guidelines for candidate selection, requiring a matric qualification and/or relevant experience and education.
- The party's Decade of the Cadre program, which aimed to provide ideological and academic training, ended in 2023 without clear assessment of its objectives.
- ANC candidates without a matric qualification or equivalent have options to acquire a qualification through CET and TVET colleges and other institutions.
