Pandor backs younger ANC leadership for Joburg while praising Frank Chikane

Former international relations minister Naledi Pandor said she would like the ANC’s mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg to be a younger person, but also expressed support for veteran party figure Frank Chikane because of his integrity and clean record.

Young leadership preference, but respect for Chikane

Speaking on Mbuyiseni Ndlozi’s podcast, African Renaissance, Pandor said: “I think young people must be given an opportunity.” At the same time, she described Chikane as a person of “great integrity and a hard worker.”

On Chikane, Pandor said:

“If we want someone who is honest, who will not steal public resources and who will have regard for the improvement and development of the metro, I do not think he will be a terrible choice.”

She added that Chikane “knows Johannesburg well and has ‘no stain’ on his name.”

Party contest and candidate process

The ANC is expected to announce its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg. Among names reported as front-runners are the deputy mayor of the city, Loyiso Masuku, Frank Chikane, and former member of parliament Jabu Moleketi.

According to The Citizen, sources in the party told The Citizen that Chikane had expressed reservations about becoming the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told the media that the party will launch its manifesto on August 15 and that it has a rigorous process for electing mayoral candidates, including vetting and community meetings. He said the ANC would finalise its internal candidate processes this week.

Campaigning and other remarks from Pandor

Pandor said she is ready to campaign for the ANC if asked, adding:

“I am very ready to be active if I know where the meeting is and what its focus is, but I just don’t jump around everywhere… I will be very enthusiastic if I am told where to go.”

Why she ruled out Tshwane

Pandor said she is not interested in becoming a mayoral candidate in the City of Tshwane because of a recent robbery at her house in Pretoria. She said:

“People from Tshwane robbed me in my house at gunpoint. I have no interest in it at all. I cannot wait to go home, actually. I would not be interested. I had a horrible experience.”

She also urged South Africans to vote for the ANC, saying:

“Select the ANC, and we will make sure we do the right thing this time.”