ANC Limpopo elects new leadership

POLOKWANE 

 The Limpopo premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has been elected unopposed as the first female provincial chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo. She was elected in the early hours of Saturday, during the party’s 11th Limpopo Provincial Conference at the Polokwane Cricket Club.
A unity slate reportedly emerged at the conference, with all candidates nominated at the branch level elected without opposition. Ramathuba replaces the outgoing provincial chairperson, Stanley Mathabatha.
The Polokwane municipality mayor, John Mpe, was elected unopposed as deputy chairperson. Reuben Madadzhe was re-elected as provincial secretary, also unopposed. Pule Shayi was elected deputy provincial secretary, and the Fetakgomo Tubatse mayor, Eddie Maila, as provincial treasurer.
With his appointment as treasurer, it is expected Maila will not run for the Fetakgomo Tubatse mayoral position after the 2026 municipal elections. The current mayor of the FTLM will possibly be deployed by the ANC in provincial government.
In terms of numbers, the Sekhukhune region was hard hit at the conference. Only three members, one official (Maila) and two additional members made the cut of the top 35 Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) members. This is despite Sekhukhune being one of the biggest regions and an ANC stronghold. Rodgers Monama and Bella Kupa are the two other members elected to the PEC as additional members.
In electing Ramathuba, this publication understands that the five ANC regions in Limpopo reportedly intervened ahead of the conference to prevent a contested race between Ramathuba and Mpe.
Regional leaders reportedly encouraged the two to agree on a unity slate to avoid further divisions in the province. Ramathuba takes office at a critical time.
Her immediate task will be to consolidate leadership, manage internal competition and strengthen unity as the ANC prepares for the 2026 local government elections.
The ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has urged the newly elected Limpopo PEC to replicate its strong electoral performance in the upcoming municipal elections, saying that ‘the whole ANC relies on Limpopo.’
Ramaphosa delivered the closing remarks at the conference on Sunday. He highlighted the province’s importance as a longstanding stronghold of the party.
“You gave us 70% plus of the vote, and
thank you so much,” he said. He added that
the party depends heavily on Limpopo’s electoral strength. “The whole ANC relies on Limpopo to come up with the top numbers,” Ramaphosa said.
Limpopo was the only ANC province to secure more than 70% support in the 2024 national and provincial elections.