The ANC in the Vhembe region, Limpopo, has modified its road map to the highly contested elective conference and decided on the venue following weeks of delays and uncertainty about the gathering.
According to ANC Vhembe Secretary Rudzani Ludere, the conference will be held at the Kalahari Water Front at Ha-Budeli in Thohoyandou on May 3-4. He said on January 17th, the Regional Task Team (RTT) approved the new road map at its first meeting held to prepare for the conference.
Held at the Makhado Executive Committee Chamber, the meeting amended the road map adopted by the regional executive committee (REC) on November 21, 2024. It then started in January 2025.
“The Secretary General Communique dated 29th of January 2025 advised that all BBGMS and BGMs should be put on hold until the membership system challenges are resolved. This communication affected the amended adopted roadmap. The Regional Task Team meeting held on Tuesday, the 25th of February 2025, at Thulamela Council Chamber, resolved to amend the road map,” Ludere said in a media release on Thursday, 27 February 2025.
Ludere, seeking a second term as regional secretary, says the ANC in Vhembe is now ready for the conference. According to the new road map, the electoral agency was appointed on January 18th, 2025.
The branch general meetings (BGMs) will be confirmed by March 16. Limpopo ANC Provincial Secretary Reuben Madazdhe will sign off on the verification report by the end of April.
“The amended road map is as follows: Approval of the amended Roadmap by the REC, 25 February 2025, was done by the RTT Coordinator. Membership cut-off date: 17 December 2024 by branches. Verification of BGMs and confirmation of BGM date 01-16 March 2025 by BECs. Appointment of an electoral agency on or before the 18th of January 2025 by RTT. BGMs to elect delegates and nominations from 22 March to 22 April 2025 by branches.
“Dispute resolutions 22 March – 22 April 2025 by Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee. Finalisation of disputes and appeals 14-15 April 2025 by the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee and the National Dispute Resolution Committee. Re-run 16-27 April 2025 by branches.”
“Approval and signing off of the verification report on 28 April 2025 by PSO. Opening of the nomination boxes and pre-registration 29-30 April 2025 Electoral Agency by PSO and SGO. Delegates will gather at the Regional Conference at Kalahari Water Front at Thulamela Sub-region 03-04 May 2025,” Ludere added.
Collins Chabane Municipality senior official Simon Mavikane is challenging the incumbent regional chairperson and Limpopo’s Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Tshitereke Matibe, seeking a fourth term.
Mavikane enjoys support from party leaders like former Makhado Municipality Mayor Samuel Munyai; Ludere, who wants a second term; Livhuwani Ligabara, who is contesting incumbent Deputy Secretary Miyelani Chauke (who replaced late Collins Chabane Mayor Moses Maluleke); and incumbent Treasurer Mihloti Muhlophe.
On the other hand, Matibe is believed to have the backing of Vhembe District Mayor Freda Nkondo, Makhado Mayor Dorcus Mboyi, and Musina Local Municipality Chief Whip Fistos Mafela, who are vying for senior top-five positions.
Two weeks ago, African Times reported that ethnic and tribal tensions had emerged between Matibe and Mavikane’s supporters. Some Tsonga-speaking party members accused Matibe (Venda-speaking) of failing to address long-standing language issues and inclusiveness in the running and appointments of municipal staff in the region.
The tribal and ethnic tensions come amid murmurs among some Limpopo ANC members that the Vhembe region wields too much political power because Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Madhazhe hailed from the same area and are all Venda-speaking.
