Peter Mokaba Region Convenor and Polokwane Mayor John Mpe and ANC Women’s League Provincial Chairperson and Capricorn Region Executive Mayor Mamedupi Teffo.
ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Elective Conference is ignited as the battle lines are drawn between former allies Peter Mokaba Region Convenor and Polokwane Mayor John Mpe and ANC Women’s League Provincial Chairperson and Capricorn Region Executive Mayor Mamedupi Teffo as the two take on each other to see who will emerge as ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Chairperson next month.
The political mosako was motivated after their supporters couldn’t agree following their unity negotiations which collapsed as they zoom into the much-awaited ANC Limpopo Provincial Elective Conference next year including other regional conferences which will give birth to the new ANC Provincial Chairperson who will be declared Limpopo Premier to avoid two centres of power which has a potential of crippling the ANC votes despite performing well with over 70% election votes.
Mpe’s supporters argued that they want him for the 3rd term because he is experienced, and they see him as the suitable candidate to become Limpopo ANC Provincial Chairperson who will move power back to the Northern Sesotho /Pedi tribe. However, Teffo’s allies argued that Mpe has overstayed therefore he must allow new ANC comrades especially young bloods to lead the ANC Peter Mokaba Region. “The idea is to have a Sepedi or Northern Sotho speaking person to become the provincial chairperson. The truth is that the people of Limpopo aren’t used to being led by other tribes. I put it to you, these are interesting times in the province. Maybe there's a need for new blood with fresh ideas as suggested by the ANCYL in Limpopo,” claimed ANC sources.
While some maintained that the first female Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has not yet settled and enjoyed her term as Premier from Vha -Venda tribe therefore it will be too early to oust her as the number 1 citizen in Limpopo. “Let’s be honest, Premier Ramathuba is still settling. She needs more time to rectify the previous mess under Premier Stan Mathabatha. Some comrades want to counter her by spreading rumours that she is a tribalist. I put it to you Limpopo is also suffering from tribalism politics of Venda, Sepedi and Tsonga tribes. Therefore, what makes anybody peculiar? I put it to you that that’s reality,” ANC sources uttered.
Some ANC sources said whoever emerges after the ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Chairperson is not going to be a smooth path for the person to become Limpopo Premier because other regions will still enter into robust power shift leadership debate battles which will give birth to governance sanity.
A veteran ANC politician warned contenders not to be entangled by some VBS counter revolutionaries who milked the Limpopo State purse in the name of amandla. "It will be disingenuous for our comrades who are contesting each other to be remote controlled by forces of VBS who looted the State purse. They will still want to control the province and get more tenders. This is their opportunity to position themselves because conferences of the ANC are won by those with fat budgets," he confirmed.
Mpe will be deputised by Molemole Mayor and Deputy Coordinator Masilo Paya while Teffo who is Ramathuba’s ally is supported Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure led by MEC Tonny Rachoene and former ANCYL Provincial Chairperson who are advocating for leadership regime change. Lesiba Matsemela, Capricorn Region Chief Whip is Regional Secretary in Mpe’s slate who will contest Sammy Selamolela, former Blouberg Municipality Mayor. Lepelle Nkumpi Mayor Merriam Molala an ally of Mpe will contest for Treasurer position with Polokwane Municipality Councillor Makhasane Mabote.
Polokwane Mayor John Mpe's slate.
Capricorn Region Executive Mayor Mamedupi Teffo's slate.
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