How the ANC’s list selection process works

The party has a four-tiered list process. Tshwane mayor Kgosientso “Sputla” Ramokgopa was number two on the list that came from the regional list conference, which differs from the regional executive committee (REC) list. The names on the regional list are voted on by branch members during the ANC regional list conferences. The candidates who make this list are then appointed proportional representative councillors after the elections.

Although Ramokgopa’s name appeared on the regional list it does not automatically qualify him as a mayoral candidate. This is the domain of the second tier, the REC.

An ANC resolution taken in Polokwane in 2007 stipulates that: “At local level, the REC should make recommendations of not more than three names of cadres in order of priority who should be considered for mayorship, and the PEC [provincial executive committees] will make a final decision based on the pool of names submitted by the REC.

“Those members of either the REC and/or PEC who are being considered for deployment should recuse themselves when decisions affecting them are made.”

Once the PEC — the third tier — has received the names of the three candidates from the REC, it chooses one candidate to submit to the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) for endorsement.

In consultation with the PEC, the NEC, the fourth tier, can intervene and appoint any ANC member who is in good standing to a mayoral position. —