Who is in and out of ANC candidate lists to Parliament?

Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel.

Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel.

Published Mar 12, 2024

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Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel and Mandla Mandela are among the MPs who are not on the ANC candidate lists for the 2024 elections.

The lists, released on Monday, show that former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool is set to make his way to the corridors of Parliament.

Former MP and ANC Women’s league president Bathabile Dlamini, whose name appears on the KwaZulu-Natal province to national list, is also set to make her return to the legislature along with former communications minister Faith Muthambi who is on the national to national list.

Activist and MPL Andile Lili has made it on the list for the Western Cape legislature.

A cursory look at the three lists, which are still to be subjected to objections, shows that almost 80 of the current ANC MPs will not be returning to the seventh Parliament after May 29 elections.

They range from ministers, deputy ministers, parliamentary presiding officers, portfolio committee chairpersons, and backbenchers.

Parliamentary corridors

The top presiding officers of Parliament - National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, her deputy Lechesa Tsenoli and National Council of Provinces chairperson Amos Masondo – will not be returning to the national legislature.

Mapisa-Nqakula had indicated her wish to retire from politics during the State of the Nation Address, while Masondo was named by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula as among “many of the pioneers of our democracy” who will retire.

At least two House chairpersons, Grace Boroto and Madala Ntombela, do not appear on the lists.

NCOP deputy chairperson Sylvia Lucas along with chief whip Seiso Mohai and National Assembly chief whip Pemmy Majodina feature on the lists.

Several portfolio committee chairpersons did not make the cut either.

Apart from Mandla Mandela, there are Sakhumzi Somyo, Sifiso Buthelezi, Nolitha Ntobongwana, Beauty Dlulane, Fikile Xasa, Khaya Magaxa, Kenneth Jacobs, Mathole Motsheka, Mandla Rayi, Elleck Nchabeleng and Yunus Carrim.

Among the backbenchers that are not on the lists is Boy Mamabolo, former justice minister Michael Masutha, former Sanco president Richard Mdakane.

Appearing in the KwaZulu-Natal list are former health minister Zweli Mkhize, now a backbencher, along with Health Deputy Minister Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, Business Development Deputy Minister Sidumo Dlamini and Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina.

Bongani Bongo, who has been on step-aside, and Mosebenzi Zwane, whose name featured in the Zondo Commission report, are also out in the cold.

Cabinet environment

Members of the executive who are not returning are Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, and Justice and Correctional Services Deputy Minister John Jeffery.

They have indicated a desire to retire from active politics.

Top ministers on the lists

Ministers Maropene Ramokgopa, Ronald Lamola, Thembi Nkadimeng, Sihle Zikalala, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Gwede Mantashe, Nokuzola Tolashe, and Pinky Kekana feature as the top candidates on the national list along with Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

Equally high up on the list are ministers Mmamoloko Kubayi, Senzo Mchunu, Sindisiwe Chikunga as well as NEC member Tandi Mahambehlala , Alvin Botes, Buti Manamela and Soviet Lekganyane.

Zondo Commission

Only six persons who were named in the Zondo Commission appear on the candidate lists.

They are Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, Water and Sanitation Minister David Mahlobo, former minister Malusi Gigaba, House chairperson in the National Assembly Cedric Frolick, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Deputy Defence Minister Thabang Makwetla.

Returnee current and former MPs and ministers

The lists show that quite a number of MPs are likely to return if the ANC clinches enough seats.

These are International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor, Defence Minister Thandi Modise, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams former deputy minister and premier Phumulo Masualle, Supra Mahumapelo, deputy chief Doris Dlakude, Justice and Correctional Services Deputy Minister Patekile Holomisa, Qubudile Dyantyi, Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet and Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi.

Former Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina is on the candidate list as are former communications ministers Faith Muthambi and Dina Pule.

Newbie candidates

ANC head of elections Mdumiseni Ntuli has made it onto the list along with NEC members Zuko Godlimpi and Nonceba Mhlauli.

Former Western Cape interim task team coordinator and now NEC member Ronalda Nalumango, former advisor to Ramaphosa Bejani Chauke, former Eastern Cape transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, Sanco’s Richard Hlope, ANC Youth League NEC member Asanda Luwaca, former Buffalo City mayor Xola Pakati, and former Eastern Cape deputy Speaker Bulelwa Tunyiswa are on the list.

Former MP and now ANC employee at Luthuli House Andries Nel is set to make his return to Parliament.

*This story has been updated to include the KwaZulu-Natal province to national list.

Cape Times