POLOKWANE – City Mayor and Peter Mokaba regional chairperson John Mpe has sent a strong signal about the direction of ANC leadership in Limpopo by publicly backing the Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, for provincial chairperson in a move that has surprised many within the party and reshaped expectations ahead of the elective conference.

The endorsement was made on Sunday during branch nominations at the Mphogodiba branch in Ward 4, where members selected candidates and delegates for the ANC’s 11th provincial elective conference, scheduled for March. Mpe, who was widely expected to contest the chairperson position himself, instead rose to declare his support for Ramathuba to take the top seat.

Political analyst Nico Motlaletsi said the move caught many ANC insiders off guard, given earlier speculation that Mpe would enter the race. Rather than contesting the position, his decision is being viewed as a strategic call for unity within the organisation.

Across Limpopo, several branches have reportedly started backing Ramathuba for chairperson, with Mpe being supported for the deputy chairperson role.

The ANC Women’s League welcomed the development, with spokesperson Marble Kalembo describing it as a breakthrough moment. “This shows that unity in the ANC is possible and that women can lead. We may even see an uncontested conference and make history with a woman leading the organisation since the dawn of democracy,” she said.

The ANC Youth League in Limpopo also welcomed the endorsement. Provincial spokesperson Phineas Sebola said uncontested conferences could help curb corruption.

“In contested conferences we often see vote-buying and criminal activities, funded through corruption. This move gives hope that those practices can be uprooted,” he said.

Political analyst Solly Rashilo noted that Mpe’s decision aligns with long-standing ANC traditions aimed at consensus-building ahead of elective conferences. Preparations for the ANC Limpopo provincial conference, scheduled for March 27-29, are now formally under way, with branch general meetings taking place across the province amid ongoing efforts to promote unity.

Following a recent ANC national executive committee (NEC) lekgotla, a preferred leadership configuration was proposed. Ramathuba was identified as the preferred candidate for chairperson, with Mpe as deputy chairperson. The NEC also recommended Reuben Madadzhe for a second term as provincial secretary, Pule Shai as deputy secretary, and Eddie Maila as provincial treasurer.

Madadzhe has since emphasised that the final decision rests with branches, although sources suggest the national configuration is likely to be adopted in most structures across the province.