2026 Local Government Elections: Who is running for mayor in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other metros?

The 2026 local government elections in South Africa are approaching, with political parties currently in the process of finalizing and announcing their mayoral candidates for the country’s major metropolitan municipalities.

The African National Congress (ANC) has initiated a centralized mayoral selection program, inviting public nominations for candidates in metros and strategic secondary cities. Reports indicate that Reverend Frank Chikane has emerged as a frontrunner for the ANC’s Johannesburg mayoral candidacy as the party seeks to unify ahead of the November 4 polls.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have also been active, with leader Julius Malema recently announcing the party’s full slate of mayoral candidates during a press briefing in Sandton, asserting that they have fielded the best possible individuals for the positions.

Meanwhile, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has scheduled the announcement of its mayoral candidates for late August, with the event expected to take place in Umhlanga, Durban, as the party navigates internal leadership changes.

Other political organizations, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), are also preparing their campaigns, with the DA having already unveiled several mayoral candidates in regions like the Eastern Cape.