SEDIBENG.- According to Sedibeng ANC regional secretary Jason Mkhwane, all of the Sedibeng ANC officials who are in the running for office in the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) have matric.

This comes amid talks that ANC candidates should at least have matric to hold any position in office, be it mayoral or councillor.

The ANC’s Electoral Committee, chaired by former president Kgalema Motlanthe, however, recently requested that provincial structures ignore the party’s matric requirement for councillor candidates who do not have Grade 12.

Councillors and mayors are being selected on merit.

Some affected candidates have been given a final opportunity due to their political and municipal office experience.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that councillors and mayors are being selected on merit and that not having matric is not an automatic disqualification.

Mbalula said in cases where candidates do not have matric, experience will be prioritised.

Candidates without matric can remain on the ANC’s candidate lists only if they sign a written pledge to obtain a matric certificate or an accredited NQF Level 4 or higher within 12 months.

Under the arrangement, candidates without matric can remain on the ANC’s candidate lists only if they sign a written pledge to obtain a matric certificate or an accredited NQF Level 4 or higher within 12 months of becoming councillors.

The ANC introduced stricter candidate guidelines in November 2025.

The party has also tightened requirements for mayoral candidates, with higher educational and experience standards applying to those positions.

Matric, however, is not a legal prerequisite for candidates to serve as a councillor in South Africa.

“All our candidates have matric, as far as I can remember. Vetting is done by the national office,” Mkhwane told Sedibeng Ster.