The African National Congress’s decision not to release the names of its premier candidates suggests that all is not well within the provinces.
The ANC has confirmed its decision and says it is not obliged to reveal the names because South Africa does not have a constituency-based system.
ANC spokesperson Steyn Speed told the Mail & Guardian that the organisation asks people to vote for the party rather than for individuals.
“We don’t think an individual can run a province. It is always a collective that takes responsibility,” Speed said.
And on Thursday, addressing a meeting of the Press Club in Cape Town, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said “premiers do not play a role in election campaigns”.
The ANC and South African President Thabo Mbeki appoint premiers.
Some believe that the decision not to announce premiers could be a safeguard against a possible backlash if Mbeki chooses to appoint unpopular people. This could happen in the Free State where, in the past, the ANC head office has chosen to overlook popular ANC chairperson Ace Magashule for relative outsiders.
Free State activists said that Mbeki will not risk announcing an “outside” candidate before the elections because of the impact it will have on campaigning and voter turn-out.
Wits University political analyst Professor Tom Lodge said the “bad” decision once more suggested that too much is happening in the centre.
“In the interest of accountability it is important that voters know who they are voting for … The decision means that either there is conflict within the provinces or that they suspect some of the candidates might be unpopular.
“Surely in provinces such as North West and Limpopo where new premiers will be coming, the voters have a right to know who those will be. Constitutionally the ANC is not obliged to do that but custom and expectation dictates that people should know,” Lodge said.
The ANC, along with most other parties, is expected to lodge its list of election candidates with the Independent Electoral Commission on Friday.