Who Made the ANC Premier Candidate Shortlist?
The ANC premier candidate lists for the 2024 elections have been finalized, including premier candidates for various provinces. This process, which took several months, involved rigorous selection criteria and internal deliberations within the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
National Overview
The national list is led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, reaffirming his position as the party’s top candidate. This selection process was carefully conducted to uphold the party’s commitment to integrity and accountability, particularly in light of concerns raised in reports such as the Zondo Commission (PoliticsWeb) (SABC News).
Provincial Highlights
- Gauteng:
- Panyaza Lesufi: The current Premier, Lesufi has been prominent in provincial politics and is favoured to continue his leadership role.
- KwaZulu-Natal:
- Nomusa Dube-Ncube: Currently serving as the Premier, Dube-Ncube is noted for her efforts in economic development and addressing provincial challenges.
- Eastern Cape:
- Oscar Mabuyane: Another incumbent, Mabuyane is expected to retain his position given his track record in the province.
- Western Cape:
- Cameron Dugmore: An experienced politician, Dugmore is seen as the ANC’s hope to make advancements in a province traditionally dominated by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).
- Limpopo:

Candidate Selection Process
The ANC premier candidate selection process for the 2024 elections involved comprehensive vetting and integrity checks. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula emphasized that the selection was based on the candidates’ performance, integrity, and ability to deliver on the party’s mandate. This included thorough reviews by the ANC’s integrity commission to address any adverse findings related to past conduct or involvement in corruption scandals (IOL | News that Connects South Africans).
Key Points of Contention
Earlier this year, the leaked ANC premier candidate list raised concerns about the transparency and security of the selection process. However, the ANC maintained that their internal procedures were robust enough to ensure that only candidates who met stringent ethical standards were selected (EWN).
Conclusion
The ANC’s finalized candidate lists reflect a mix of experienced incumbents and new faces, aiming to strengthen the party’s position in the 2024 elections. With a focus on integrity and accountability, the ANC hopes to regain public trust and ensure effective governance across South Africa.