ANC’s Moses Mabhida Region (covering Pietermaritzburg/Msunduzi) has submitted the following names to the party’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial office:
- Bathabile Dlamini — Former National Minister of Social Development (noted for her high national profile; endorsed by the ANC Women’s League in the region).
- Pastor Vusi Dube — Former KZN Legislature MPL.
- Themba Ndhlovu — Businessman and former senior KZN Education official.
- Mbali Myeni — Former deputy chairperson of the Municipal Demarcation Board.
The ANC Women’s League also put forward Ranesha Jugmohan as a preferred candidate.
Key Context
- This is the first time since 1994 that the ANC has opened its mayoral candidate nomination process to organisations and individuals outside the party, in line with a broader push for “leaders of integrity, competence and proven capacity.”
- The regional task team reportedly submitted four names (instead of the usual three) to avoid internal divisions. More names could still emerge from provincial or external nominations.
- The current mayor is Cllr Mzimkhulu Thebolla (ANC), who has been in office since 2019 and recently tabled the 2026/27 budget.
Other parties have also announced candidates, such as Mohamed Allee from the Truth and Solidarity Movement.
Msunduzi (which includes Pietermaritzburg) is a key battleground municipality in KZN. The ANC currently holds the mayoral position but governs in a hung or coalition-sensitive environment, with ongoing challenges around service delivery, infrastructure, and urban decay. The final ANC candidate will likely be a major contender in the November 4, 2026 elections.
