The African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed it is holding talks with its coalition partners in the City of Johannesburg to appoint someone to the newly created Johannesburg deputy mayor position.

Council approved the role on 29 January 2026, with 107 councillors voting in favour, 87 against and 37 abstaining. ANC Johannesburg spokesperson Mantombi Nkosi told The Citizen on Friday that discussions are ongoing and the position will be filled before the 2026 local government elections.

The move comes as the city’s Government of Local Unity (GLU) coalition navigates internal pressures. Nkosi declined to name candidates, saying talks remain active.

What the New Role Means for Joburg Governance

The Johannesburg deputy mayor position follows national legislation and mirrors structures in other metros like Tshwane. Supporters argue it will ease the mayor’s workload and bring stability to a city often hit by leadership changes.

Minority Governing Parties (MGP), a key coalition bloc, back the idea in principle but oppose handing it to another ANC member. “It has come to our attention, as the MGP, that the deputy mayor position is an ANC’s internal political management position intended to quell factional tensions, and we as the MGP are not in support of that view,” the group said.

MGP added that current deployees “are not living up to the expectations, and a reconfiguration is imminent.” Some coalition voices suggest the EFF, the second-largest party in the GLU, should get the Johannesburg deputy mayor post to balance power.

Party Positions on the Appointment

The ANC says it is consulting all partners and expects to announce a name soon.

The MGP has made its stance clear: it wants input on the choice and rejects an ANC-only solution.

The EFF and DA voted against creating the position in council. No further comment from the EFF on a potential candidate was available at the time of publication.