The much anticipated ANC Vhembe regional conference appears to have been postponed indefinitely after being marred by logistical and membership verification challenges.
Party regional spokesperson Gumani Mukwevho revealed that the ANC’s elective conference, which was supposed to be held at Nando Dam Resort on March 10th, has been postponed until the party has organised its affairs.
Collins Chabane Municipality senior official Simon Mavikane is challenging incumbent regional chairperson and Limpopo’s Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Tshitereke Matibe, who seeks a fourth term.
Ahead of the conference, ethnic tensions and tribal tensions have emerged between the two men’s supporters, with some Tsonga speaking party members accusing 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 Vhembe regional wields too much political power because Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Provincial Secretary Reuben Madhazhe come from the same region and are all Venda-speaking.
“There is no latest. We are still waiting for the ANC to communicate with us. Branches are still busy consolidating the issues of the portal, so there is no latest. We cannot always communicate our things with the media. When we are ready, we will tell you as media that the Vhembe Region is ready. It is sitting on this day, etc. I am one person who does not really like commenting on the media because I would rather not entangle myself in media things. I always want to preserve the stature of the ANC,” Mukwevho said.
Mavikane is Tsonga speaking and hails from Malamulele. He previously told African Times that Matibe treated the regional chairperson’s position like a chieftainship to which he was entitled till death.
Mavikane’s supporters said he was the best person to help to bring about “equality” in Vhembe. On the other hand, Matibe’s supporters said he was the only viable candidate to push for “social cohesion” due to his political experience and leadership qualities.
Despite the postponement of the conference, some sub regional leaders have expressed themselves about their expectations and preferred leadership.
Livhuwani ‘The Tiger’ Ramuhovhi, the ANC’s branch executive committee (BEC) member in Ward 19 in the Thulamela sub-region, has dismissed inexperienced aspirant leaders, saying they could cause more damage to the ANC. She did not mention Mavikane by name.
The SANCO national executive committee (NEC) member said she expected competent leaders with a proven service delivery track record to be elected. Ramohovhi said experience counts and plays a pivotal role in the party ahead of the 2026 local government elections, insinuating support for Matibe’s fourth term ambitions.
“I, as a member of the ANC in good standing, after all the challenges the ANC has gone through when it comes to competent leaders, am looking for leaders who will be visible to the community, focusing on service delivery. We are looking for someone who will be dealing with unemployment in our region, a leader who will understand the renewal, rebuilding, and unity. That is the resolution taken in Nasrec 2017 and reinforced in 2022. That is what we are focusing on in the Vhembe Region. I indicated that ANC nationally is below 50%, so we are focusing much on the leaders who are competent. Leaders who can unite the ANC. Leaders who are good listeners. Leaders who will be visible and available to listen to the challenges that we are facing. We are looking for leaders who will understand the challenges of the people,” Ramohovhi said.
“So we are looking for leaders with experience, understanding, and knowledge of the organisation. Allow me to put it like that. We cannot take someone we don’t know how they will rescue the ANC from the situation we are now in. Yes, sometimes in the situation we are now, it is better to put someone who was in the struggle. If I can make an example of the second term of President Cyril Ramaphosa, some people were having different views, but when we checked the situation of the ANC and corruption and a lot of things, a leader with integrity, the branches realised and noticed that to rescue the ANC is to make sure Ramaphosa returns as the president for the second term. Some individuals were saying, let’s go for N3, who was Comrade Zweli Mkhize. They were not wrong, but when we focus on the situation we are now in, we cannot just put anyone in the position in the name of putting any leader. We must make sure we are putting someone who is going to rescue us and unite the region,” she added.
Branches have been struggling to sit for some time now due to a variety of challenges, including verifications of members.
However, Eric Baloyi, ANC Ward 35 branch chairperson in the Collins Chabane subregion, revealed that his branch would sit in the first weekend of March, which confirmed that the conference has been pushed back.
Implying support for Mavikane, Baloyi said they would support a candidate with capacity to bring about equality in the region, resolve the long-standing language challenges, and bring what he termed “social cohesion.”
“Our branch is ward 35 in Collins Chabane. It is a branch with over 700 members and is in good standing. We do our activities according to the ANC constitution. We are prepared to participate in the regional elective conference and shape the resolutions of the ANC. Ahead of the conference, the ANC is under enormous pressure in terms of GNU. We expect to come out of the conference with leadership that seeks to unite and restore the dignity of the party. We must focus on quality, not quantity. The leadership must encourage quality membership of the ANC. They must dedicatedly service the communities to resolve unemployment, inequality, and poverty.”
“The issue of language is very important. Language is still a big problem. Our branch is concerned about language. It seems like we are not equal here in Vhembe in terms of Xitsonga and Tshivenda languages. The branch sees that there is still oppression. Leadership must prioritise social cohesion so that at the end we will feel equal in Vhembe,” said Baloyi.
“Remember, the ANC was formed to eradicate language barriers. I may be Tsonga and not prioritise social cohesion to understand that all people are equal. Irrespective of the languages, we expect that the new leadership will not focus on individuals but on five members who will lead to ensure that there is no language oppression by the other. We will see this when it comes to sector departments and municipalities and see how they will be employing people there. We will check service delivery by ANC Vhembe and sector departments to see how services will be rendered. That alone will show us how we will be dealing with language. People who live in Vhembe must enjoy this region. They must unite and live together. That is what we are expecting from the conference.
“Branches started sitting last Saturday and Sunday. Our branch will sit next weekend on the first. It is obvious the conference will not take place this March; we have delayed it. Branches were late. The conference may sit at the end of April or early May month,’’ he reckoned.
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.
