JOHANNESBURG - The ANC will open nominations for metro mayoral candidates next week.
A final list of candidates will be made public by the end of May.
Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula made the announcement on the sidelines of Solomon Mahlangu's commemoration in Mamelodi.
The party is also expected to decide this week on its relationship with the South African Communist Party ahead of the municipal elections.
Mbalula said the party's national officials will interview nominees for mayoral positions to assess their suitability.
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"We’re looking at launching our campaign around June/July, formally. We’re now in the foundations phase wherein we’re preparing ourselves, our structures and mapping our strategy in terms of the election campaign," Mbalula said.
However, he said this week, the party will determine its future with alliance partner, South African Communist Party, which will also be contesting the upcoming local government elections.
"This week, one important thing is going to happen in the life of the ANC. For the first time, we’re going to discuss the implications of the party’s decision and how that decision on practical terms is going to find expression in the ANC. The NWC has finalised the document by the officials on that and we’ll have a special NEC meeting, to finalise that discussion. And thereafter we will brief the allies about the position of the ANC," Mbalula added.
The SACP used the commemoration to criticise the ANC for entering into a Government of National Unity with parties it describes as class enemies.
- eNCA's Moloko Moloto reports.