Limpopo ANC Conference: A House of Cards on the Brink of Collapse

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

The 11th ANC Limpopo Provincial Elective Conference, kicking off this Friday, March 27, and wrapping up on Sunday, March 29, 2026, is a ticking time bomb, with the party's heavyweights engaged in a fierce battle for control.

The air is thick with tension, as various factions jockey for position and influence, amidst a backdrop of unsleepless nights and dark mornings. The brutality of seeking power has taken its toll on many, with delegates burning the midnight oil to secure crucial alliances and backroom deals.

The proposed unity slate, led by Dr Phophi Ramathuba as Provincial Chairperson, with John Mpe as her deputy, Ruben Madadzhe as Provincial Secretary, Pule Shayi as Deputy Secretary, and Eddie Maila as Provincial Treasurer, is facing competition from rival factions.

Basikopo Makamu, the Deputy Provincial Secretary, and Florence Radzilani, the ANC Deputy Provincial Chairperson, are challenging the unity slate, with Makamu eyeing the Provincial Secretary position and Radzilani seeking to unseat Ramathuba as Provincial Chairperson.

Makamu's allies are also gunning for other top positions, seeking to challenge incumbent officials and reshape the party's leadership landscape.

Adding to the complexity, former MECs who were removed from office after the seventh administration are fighting back, seeking to regroup and reclaim their influence.

These disgruntled former cabinet members, who once enjoyed the perks of power, including drivers and protectors, are now vying for positions on the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), hoping to secure a spot in the premier's cabinet. Current MECs are also eager to join the PEC, seeking to safeguard their positions and influence.

The conference's outcome is far from certain, with multiple slates vying for dominance. The party's decline from over 80% to 74% in Limpopo mirrors its national decline, a stark reminder of the need for change.

However, unity is proving elusive, with regions like Vhembe, Waterberg, and Norman Mashabane experiencing internal divisions. The lack of cohesion is threatening to derail the party's chances in the upcoming local elections.

If the proposed unity slate wins, the premier's powers will be curtailed, with key decisions requiring input from the top five officials, including the deputy chairperson, secretary, deputy secretary, and treasurer. This means the premier will no longer have unfettered control over cabinet reshuffles, and any changes will need to reflect the interests of the PEC.

The Limpopo ANC's ability to rise above its challenges will be put to the test. Will the party put its house in order, or will it succumb to the forces of division and self-interest? The people of Limpopo are watching, and they will not endorse those who prioritize personal gain over the needs of the community.

As the conference gets underway, the silence is deafening. You could drop a pin and hear it fall, the tension is so palpable. The party's heavyweights are huddled in smoke-filled rooms, wheeling and dealing, as they try to secure their grip on power.

The ANC's internal conflicts have become a soap opera, with the public eagerly following the drama. But the stakes are high, and the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for the party and the people of Limpopo.

In the end, the Limpopo ANC must confront its demons and ask itself: what is the purpose of power, if not to serve the people? The answer lies in the hands of the delegates, who will gather this weekend to decide the party's fate.

The clock is ticking, and the world is watching. Will the Limpopo ANC seize this moment, or will it succumb to the forces of division and self-interest? Only time will tell.