RUSTENBURG — The African National Congress (ANC) took a major step in its candidate selection process on Friday, 10 July 2026, conducting formal interviews for prospective mayoral candidates for the Matlosana and Madibeng Local Municipalities at the Royal Marang Hotel.
The conducted interviews by the ANC NEC members mark a key phase in the party’s preparations for local government.
The party has made it a core mission to identify leaders who are capable, ethical, and community-centered. Prospective mayors must possess the right political, governance, and administrative skills to stabilize local government and speed up service delivery. This process directly reflects the organization’s goals outlined in the ANC Manifesto.
The high-level interview panel was led by ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. He was supported by fellow NEC members, including Mduduzi Manana and Sindisiwe Chikunga.
To ensure the process remains transparent and adheres to party protocols, ANC North West Provincial Secretary, Louis Diremelo, and Provincial Executive Committee member, Tumelo Maruping, are acting as observers.
Matlosana Mayoral Prospects
The City of Matlosana Local Municipality is a focal point for the interviews. City Report understands that seven candidates have been shortlisted to vie for the mayoral position.
These prospective leaders are:
- Mike Khauoe
- Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya
- Rosy Thabanchu
- Meokgo Matuba
- Fikile Mahlophe
- Raymond Elisha
- Lucy Gwabeni
This intensive interviewing phase is part of the ANC’s centralized selection process, designed to vet candidates thoroughly before they are deployed to public office. The party aims to ensure that deployed members actively serve the people and deliver on the commitments of the movement.
Meanwhile, the battle for ANC mayoral nomination in the JB Marks Local Municipality has intensified following high-stakes interviews conducted by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) panel.
The interview session, which took place on Wednesday, 08 July 2026, is part of a newly centralised and rigorous assessment process mandated by the ANC NEC ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
A reliable source close to the process has revealed to City Report the names of the four short-listed prospective mayoral candidates who underwent the comprehensive evaluation for the JB Marks Local Municipality. The contenders are the current executive mayor Gaba Ka Qhele, alongside Mpho Matsapola, Loreal Abrahams, and Ntombi Koloti.
The panel’s focus also extended to evaluating mayoral candidates for the neighbouring Mahikeng Local Municipality, reflecting a broader provincial push to stabilise underperforming local councils.
Under the current mandate championed by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, mayoral nominees must demonstrate high ethical standards, proven competence, and deep community roots before their names can be finalised. The approach aims to prevent the deployment of unqualified officials and address long-standing issues surrounding municipal governance, water security, and infrastructure failures in the North West province.
