Key Takeaways:
- The Limpopo ANC is set to hold its 11th provincial elective conference from March 27 to 30, 2026, where new leaders will be elected.
- Women are calling for more representation in top leadership positions, citing that they are often only made to deputise in government positions.
- The ANC Youth League is pushing for young people to lead in various positions, including as ward councillors, mayors, and provincial chairpersons.
- The conference is expected to be highly contested, with several candidates vying for the top five positions, including the chairperson position.
- The Limpopo ANC believes that there should be no two centers of power in the party, and that the center of power should be the ANC itself.
Introduction to the Limpopo ANC Conference
The Limpopo ANC is gearing up for its 11th provincial elective conference, which is set to take place from March 27 to 30, 2026. The conference will be a significant event, as it will determine the new leadership of the party in the province. The announcement of the conference has sparked intense lobbying among ANC bigwigs in the province, as they jostle for position and try to secure the top five positions. The provincial secretary, Vhamusanda Reuben Madadzhe, has announced that the conference will be held at a venue yet to be determined and that a provincial conference preparatory committee has been established to oversee preparations.
The Call for Women’s Leadership
One of the key issues that has emerged in the lead-up to the conference is the call for more women in leadership positions. Makoma Grace Makhurupetje, a former member of the national ANC Women’s League and current Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, has been vocal in her demand for women to take up more leadership roles. She has argued that women are often only made to deputise in top government positions and that it is time for women to lead. Makhurupetje has called for women to make up the majority of the top five positions in the Limpopo ANC and has emphasized that women are capable and ready to lead.
The ANC Youth League’s Push for Young Leaders
The ANC Youth League has also been actively pushing for young people to take up leadership positions. The newly-elected ANC Youth League secretary-general, Tsakani Goodness Shiviti, has emphasized the importance of young people leading in various positions, including as ward councillors, mayors, and provincial chairpersons. Shiviti has argued that young people are energetic, lively, and well-schooled, and that they are ready to effect change in their communities. She has appealed to delegates attending the conference to elect candidates who have risen from the ranks of the ANC Youth League to the top five positions.
The Contest for the Chairperson Position
The conference is expected to be highly contested, with several candidates vying for the top five positions, including the chairperson position. The sitting chairperson, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, is set to step down, and there are two known leaders who are being touted as replacements: Polokwane Local Municipality mayor Makoro John Mpe and Limpopo’s first female premier, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba. The outcome of the conference is uncertain, and it will be up to the delegates to decide who will lead the party in the province.
The Importance of a Unified ANC
The Limpopo ANC has emphasized the importance of a unified party, with no two centers of power. The provincial spokesperson, Mathole Jimmy Machaka, has argued that the center of power should be the ANC itself, and that there should be no division or conflict within the party. This emphasis on unity is significant, as it suggests that the party is committed to working together to achieve its goals, rather than allowing internal conflicts to distract from its mission.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Limpopo ANC’s 11th provincial elective conference is set to be a significant event, with important implications for the party’s leadership and direction. The call for more women in leadership positions and the push for young people to lead are both significant issues that will be debated at the conference. The contest for the chairperson position is also expected to be highly contested, and the outcome will be uncertain until the delegates have made their decision. Ultimately, the conference will be an important moment for the Limpopo ANC, as it seeks to chart a new course and move forward in a unified and cohesive way.