Limpopo’s High-Stakes ANC Regional Conferences: Key Battles for Leadership Ahead of 2027

by Hope Ngobeni

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Limpopo, the ANC’s strongest support base province in South Africa, is bracing for a series of intense regional elective conferences that are set to shape the future of the party both in the province and nationally. These regional conferences will take place over the coming weeks and are expected to be battlegrounds for key positions in four of the province’s five regions: Norman Mashabane, Vhembe, Sekhukhune, and Peter Mokaba. The results of these conferences are seen as crucial for the party’s leadership race, as they will not only determine the leadership for the province but also play a significant role in the national political landscape leading up to the 2027 ANC national conference.

The four regions in question have historically played a pivotal role in the rise of President Cyril Ramaphosa and continue to be central to the ANC’s fortunes. Their importance cannot be overstated as Limpopo has the largest ANC membership in the country following the 2019 elections. The strength of these regions is expected to set the tone for the selection of national leadership, with key figures in Limpopo positioning themselves for prominence as potential candidates for higher office in the coming years.

According to ANC provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe, Limpopo’s regional conferences will determine not just the local leadership, but also provide insight into the direction the province will take as it prepares for leadership changes at the national level. “Limpopo is the backbone of the ANC, and these regional conferences are incredibly important for those with national ambitions,” said Madadzhe. “They will be a major factor in the leadership contest for the 2027 national conference.”

In Norman Mashabane, the province’s largest region by membership, fierce competition is expected for the regional chair position. Mopani District Municipality Mayor Pule Shayi and the current regional secretary, Goodman Mtileni, are both vying for the top role. This contest is expected to be especially significant given the region’s size and influence within the province. Other prominent candidates, including Mopani District Municipality spokesperson Odas Ngobeni, Maruleng Municipality Mayor Tsheko Musolwa, and Greater Tzaneen Mayor Gerson Molapisane, are also in the running for the deputy chair position.

In Vhembe, two strong slates of candidates are competing for leadership positions, with the Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism, Tshitereke Matibe, emerging as the likely candidate for regional chair. Matibe’s candidacy has gained significant traction, with two of the three competing slates backing him. Meanwhile, Freda Nkondo, the District’s executive mayor, appears to be the front-runner for the deputy chair position.

Sekhukhune’s regional contest is expected to see district executive mayor Minah Bahula take on the role of regional chair, with Elias Motsoaledi Mayor Magetle David Tladi contesting for deputy chair. The current regional secretary, Mathope Tala, is anticipated to retain his position, adding a sense of continuity to the region’s leadership.

Peter Mokaba’s regional leadership contest is particularly high-stakes, with current Polokwane Mayor John Mpe and Capricorn District Municipality Executive Mayor Mamedupi Teffo both contesting for the regional chair. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the region’s political influence in the province and nationally.

The outcomes of these regional conferences are not just about local governance but also serve as a clear indication of the shifting dynamics within the ANC, especially as the party looks ahead to the 2027 leadership race. Many of the figures vying for key regional positions are positioning themselves as potential candidates for higher office, and the outcomes in Limpopo will likely have broader implications for the party’s national agenda.

As the regional conferences unfold, all eyes will be on Limpopo, where the ANC’s most powerful political base is actively shaping its future leadership. These conferences are set to be not only a reflection of the province’s political strength but also a litmus test for the party’s broader direction as it prepares for the challenges that lie ahead. The stakes are high, and the outcomes could be decisive for both provincial and national ANC politics in the years to come.

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