A quarter of ANC candidates are young people, says Ramaphosa ahead of manifesto launch

Ramaphosa addressed the media on Sunday evening ahead of ANC’s manifesto launch, due to take place in Tshwane on Monday.

He says young people will bring innovative ideas to the local government.

“In choosing candidates for the next term of local government, the ANC was determined that we should deepen community participation in the process and assign oversight of the selection process to an electoral committee led by the elders of our movement.

We want candidates who enjoy the confidence of the people they are expected to serve, who are rooted in communities and who have a strong record of service.

At least a quarter of our candidates are young people, with our youngest candidates being just 20 years of age. They will bring greater energy and innovation to local government, and a far deeper understanding of the needs of young people,” said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa says the young cohorts will be joining hands with experienced councillors.

He says 46% of the candidates are women.

“While this is a great achievement, we will not rest until at least half of all ANC candidates and half of all ANC public representatives in all spheres of government are women.

It is significant that there are 41 local and district municipalities where women candidates make up between 55 and 73 per cent of all ANC candidates.”

He was encouraged that more than 90% of people who registered as first-time voters were under the age of 30.

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