Limpopo ANCYL’s Demand for Mayoral Positions Dismissed as ‘Premature’

THABO MONYELA|March 6, 2025

PUSH FOR POWER: The Limpopo ANC Youth league’s (ANCYL) provincial executive committee (PEC) has resolved to push for its regional chairpersons to take over as district municipality mayors after the 2026 local government elections. Photo: ANCYL Limpopo

The Limpopo ANC Youth League’s (ANCYL) demand that its regional chairpersons take over as district municipality mayors after the 2026 local government elections has pitted the young lions against the ANC.

At its first meeting on Sunday (March 2), the ANCYL’s provincial executive committee (PEC) resolved to push for power across the province’s five districts: the Mopani, Peter Mokaba, Vhembe, Waterberg, and Sekhukhune districts.

“The PEC reaffirms the call for all regional chairpersons of the ANCYL to take over municipalities in which they come from as Mayors, in the upcoming Local Government Elections. We call for the following comrades to be mayoral candidates in their respective municipalities” the league’s provincial spokesperson Abia Makola said.

Makola said the league resolved that Billy Pillay should take over as Polokwane mayor,
Renny Mabuza should be appointed mayor of Tzaneen Local Municipality, Kanana Leokana should take over as mayor of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, Sydney Mathlare should hold the reins at Lephalale Local Municipality, and Rudzani Luambo should lead the Musina Local Municipality.

NEW BROOM: Newly elected Limpopo ANC Youth League (ANCYL) chairperson Faith Sebopela. At its first meeting on Sunday (March 2), the ANCYL’s provincial executive committee (PEC) resolved to push for power across the province’s five districts: the Mopani, Peter Mokaba, Vhembe, Waterberg, and Sekhukhune districts. (Photo: Supplied).

Talking to African Times, ANC Limpopo Spokesperson Mathole Machaka labelled the provincial ANCYL’s call premature and untimed.

“The ANC in Limpopo will not be opposed to the integration of young people into various positions of government responsibilities, however it can not be limited to Mayors, as there are positions of speakers, chief whips, MM and other key responsibilities”.

“Their call to be mayors is premature and it should not arise in the first place. What they should first do is to campaign very hard for the ANC to win the 2026 Local elections and thereafter speak about who should be what in accordance with the party’s deployment processes,” Machaka said.

During its regional meeting, the ANCYL in Norman Mashabane (Mopani) resolved to support ANC regional executive committee (REC) member Odas Ngobeni’s ambition to be deputy regional chairperson. Ngobeni is earmarked to take over as the next mayor of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM).

Its counterparts in the Peter Mokaba region also decided to support John Mpe’s re-election as ANC regional chairperson. Mpe is also the mayor of Polokwane Municipality.

Limpopo ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) chairperson Mamedupi Teffo is challenging Mpe for the ANC’s top position in the Peter Mokaba region.

CHALLENGER: Limpopo ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) chairperson Mamedupi Teffo, also mayor of the Capricorn District Municipality, is challenging Polokwane mayor John Mpe for the ANC’s top position in the Peter Mokaba region. (Photo: Limpopo ANCWL)

Interestingly, the ANCYL PEC’s resolution means that Mabuza and Pillay—the ANCYL chairpersons in Norman Mashabane and Peter Mokaba, respectively—will have to challenge Ngobeni and Mpe for the mayoral positions should they emerge victorious in the upcoming conferences.

The league’s spokesperson in the Norman Mashabane region, Thabo Malatji, said they support the call for Mabuza to be deployed as the Greater Tzaneen mayor and that their support for Ngobeni is only for the ANC deputy regional chairperson position in the upcoming conference.

“The ANCYL in Norman Mashabane never alluded anything about anyone to be a Mayor; we only spoke about Ngobeni for the ANC REC position, but not lobbying him for the position of the Mayor,” Malatji said.

The five ANC regions are due to hold their respective regional conferences between March and May 2025, and differing leadership slates are emerging as the battle for power intensifies.