Limpopo ANC Women’s League chairperson Mamedupi Teffo will go toe-to-toe with incumbent Peter Mokaba chairperson John Makoro Mpe for the influential region’s top post.
Mpe is fighting to be re-elected for the third time when the party holds its elective conference early next year.
Teffo, who is the mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, is allegedly opposed to Mpe’s re-election to the plum job for the third time. She is saying that would delay the political growth of other aspirant leaders who have ambitions to take over from him.
Mpe eyeing third term as regional chair
On the other hand, Mpe eyes the third term in office. This would give him the leverage to negotiate for a Top 5 position when the party holds its provincial elective conference in 2026.
A senior ANC member, who did not want to be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media, said Mpe is expected to mop the floor with Teffo.
The member alleged that Teffo enjoys less support in the region. She may not even make the requisite threshold to contest the position, said the source.
Unbeatable at the moment
“John is entrenched and popular in Peter Mokaba. And no one could challenge and beat him to the position at this stage,” said the member.
The member added that if he wins, Mpe is likely to contest the provincial chairperson position.
“Although many structures believe that Phophi Ramathuba should be elected unopposed to avoid two centres of power, there are those who believe Mpe should take over. Those who are saying Mpe should not contest because that would create two centres of power are talking hooey. Phophi is the premier currently, and Stan Mathabatha is the current provincial chairperson of the ANC. The two are working together quite well,” said the member.
More bruising contests are expected in Limpopo
Peter Mokaba is not the only region that is divided into factions ahead of its elective conference.
Vhembe is also torn between coteries. It is the fourth-biggest region after Norman Mashabane (Mopani), Sekhukhune, and Peter Mokaba.
The first faction wants incumbent regional chairperson, Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe, be elected to the position for the third time. This after he pipped his rival Dowelani Nenguda to the position in 2021.
The clique wants Matibe to be deputised by Vhembe District Mayor Freda Nkondo.
The other grouping is lobbying Simon Mavikane for regional chairperson position. Samuel Munyai as deputy, Rudzani Ludere as secretary, Livhuwani Ligaraba as deputy secretary, and Mihloti Muhlophe as treasurer.
Consensus in Sekhukhune region
Meanwhile, there seems to be a consensus in Sekhukhune about the five leaders to take the party’s renewal project to greater heights.
A senior member of the ANC, who also did not want to be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media, said the majority of their members agreed that Minah Bahula, who is executive mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality and acting regional chairperson, should be in pole position.
The consensus, said the member, is that Bahula should be deputised by Elias Motsoaledi Mayor David Tladi. Bahula is holding the fort after the party’s regional chairperson Julia Matheba was forced to step down. This happened after she was implicated in the VBS scandal.
Tlala Mathope should be the regional secretary. Feta Kgomo Tubatse Mayor Eddie Maila as deputy secretary with Ephraim Mogale mayor Given Maimane as treasurer.
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