‘Rigorous process’ to select election candidates, vows Mbalula

This is to ensure that the party nominates candidates with the required capabilities to run local government.

Mbalula briefed the media on the party's readiness for the upcoming polls at its Luthuli House headquarters on Thursday.

While the briefing took place, the party faced protests at its front door over the candidate list.

Mbalula said the process will not be rushed.

“Being number one on the list doesn’t guarantee a candidate the position of mayor. You undergo a rigorous process of interviews because in the past we have just said you are number one on the list, become a mayor.

“It doesn’t mean that if you are number one on the list tomorrow you will become a mayor, you will be subjected because we have learned from experience, we have put people there, who some of them we have found that they are challenged in terms of capabilities.

“They are our members, we put them there as mayors in different municipalities In the recent past, we have realised that is not going to work, the local government requires skilled people with the capacity and that is why we are not going to rush the announcements of mayors, we will wait for the processes to be exhausted, as we campaign we will equally be interviewing mayoral candidates.”

Mbalula said the party’s campaign will attempt to stem the tide of election losses in several areas.

“Our manifesto is a manifesto learning from experience and what we can do to resolve local issues. The ANC lost power in Johannesburg,  ANC lost power in PE, ANC lost power in Tshwane and we still relate to the ANC as though it is in power. We are not in power in Cape Town and all the challenges are there.

“These are the challenges we are phased with and they have never been better.”

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