LIMPOPO – The Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has been elected unopposed as the first female provincial chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo.

She was elected in the early hours of Saturday at the Polokwane Cricket Club. Polokwane Mayor John Mpe was also elected unopposed as deputy chairperson.

Reuben Madadzhe was re-elected as provincial secretary, while Pule Shai and Eddie Maila were elected as deputy secretary and treasurer respectively.

Ramathuba’s election follows a ruling by the Limpopo High Court, which dismissed an urgent application to interdict the provincial elective conference.

The application was brought by Basil Mabasa, who challenged the legitimacy of the conference, citing concerns over branch general meetings, delegate accreditation and nomination processes.

The court struck the matter off the roll on Friday, ruling that it was not urgent. As a result, the conference proceeded as planned this weekend, with the judge declining to intervene in internal party matters and ordering the applicant to pay legal costs.

A unity slate emerged at the conference, with all candidates nominated at branch level elected without opposition. Ramathuba replaces outgoing provincial chairperson Stanley Mathabatha.

The President, Cyril Ramaphosa, congratulated the newly elected leadership, emphasising the importance of unity and ethical leadership.

He urged members to prioritise the interests of the province, root out corruption and avoid factional divisions.

“It is only a strong and united ANC that can address the challenges our nation faces,” he said, warning that infighting weakens party structures and impacts communities.

Ramathuba said the new leadership would focus on strengthening local government and improving service delivery.

“We need to ensure that our municipalities are delivering the needed services to the people,” she said, adding that the ANC in Limpopo would operate as a united collective focused on implementing conference resolutions and improving municipal administration across the province.