POLOKWANE – Following the conclusion of the executive council’s final meeting for Limpopo’s sixth democratic administration, outgoing Premier Chupu Mathabatha engaged members of the media at The Ranch Resort last Wednesday.

Reflecting on his two-term tenure, Mathabatha discussed achievements, shortcomings and his future political endeavours.

Since the 2024 State of the Province Address was delivered in late February, Mathabatha has been clear about not seeking re-election as premier, citing constitutional limitations on term length as one reason among others.

Expressing a desire for his successor to prioritise crucial areas such as potable water delivery, roads development and maintenance, Mathabatha highlighted progress made during his tenure, including a significant reduction in unauthorised expenditure and improvements in financial management across government entities.

Returning to Limpopo in 2013 after serving as South African ambassador to Ukraine, Mathabatha assumed various leadership roles within the ANC and provincial government, culminating in his tenure as premier.

Regarding his future political career, Mathabatha remained tight-lipped, attributing his next steps to the ANC’s deployment decisions.

Despite refraining from disclosing specific plans, he emphasised his commitment to the party’s directives. Mathabatha however, acknowledged the pressing issue of gender-based violence (GBV) during his tenure.

He suggested that greater emphasis on social cohesion initiatives could have mitigated such challenges, noting the need for balanced investment between technical services and social development as priority in his term in office.