The elected of Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, as the first female provincial Chairperson in the ANC, is a milestone achievement for women in politics.

The 11th provincial elective conference was held under the theme ” Advacing ANC Renewal Agenda for Decisive Victory and Accelerating the Democratic Revolution Trajectory.””

It is hosting more than one thousand members from all five district branches at Pieterburg Cricket Club at the heartbeat of the province.

Delegates elected the following members to lead them uncontested:

* Provincial Chairperson Dr. Phophi Ramathumba

* Provincial Deputy Chairperson John Makoro Mpe

* Provincial Secretary Musanda Reuben Madadzhe

* Provincial Deputy Secretary Pule Shai

* Provincial Treasurer Eddie Maila

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavhani couldn’t contain her excitement to congratulate the newly elected provincial Chairperson of the ruling party on social media

” The Chairperson of our time, fit for purpose. We are the descendants of the indomitable people Baobab tree. Those who walked ahead of us_ the pathfinders of our freedom, dared to cross the crocodile infested Limpopo for liberation. The liberation that made it possible for us to have a female chairperson of the ANC in the province for the very first time and in our lifetime, ” said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Dr. Ramathuba has served the party as an MEC for health from 2015_2024.

She became premier of the province in 2024 by succeeding former Premier Stanley Mathabatha.

Mathabatha was deployed after Cassel Mathale leadership was dissolved in 2013 for allegedly bankrupting the province funds.

Dr. Ramathuba gained national attention for her outspoken remarks on the influx of illegal immigrants, especially Zimbabweans, for collapsing public healthcare.

She has distinguished her leadership skills as a firm and outspoken leader.

Grounded in healthcare experience, service delivery, and discipline

Her task as a Chairperson now is to unite the diverse members of the party before a tribalism valcono erupts in the Mopani region.

Limpopo is the only province in the country, where three indegingous tribes live peacefully.

Dominated by Bapedi, followed by Va_Tsonga and Vha_ Venda.

In 1996, the party held its provincial elective conference at Tivumbeni Multipurpose Center in Tzaneen, where ANC Veteran George Mashamba was elected as the provincial Chairperson, but was never allowed to become a premier.

Many members perceived it as a tribal issue. However, ANC leadership managed to surpass it.

The newly elected TOP 5 seems to have provoked the 1996 wounds amongst the Va_ Tsonga members within the organization.

It is now, upon the newly elected provincial Chairperson and collective, to address the issue of tribalism that has been overlooked for many years within the province.

The conference will on Saturday deliberate on internal issues and how to secure municipalities ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

It shall adjourned on Sunday.

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Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba was selected by her political party, the African National Congress ( ANC), in 2024.

The appointment comes after the former premier Stanley Mathabatha reigns to power came to an end.

It’s that time of the season where branch structures are mandated to determine the fate of Top 5 leadership in the province.

Is the province ready to be governed by a woman?

We have seen in the past that the top 5 leadership are dominated by men, and only one position is open for a female.

Premier Ramathuba was well known for her hard work, enthusiastic, and passionate MEC for health in the province.

But, is she executing her task as a head of the provincial government?

She seems to work extremely well with the following Executive Members, MEC for Public Works and Roads Infrastructure Ernest Sebataola and Cogsta Biskop Makamu.

As the province prepares for the provincial elective conference, the Waterberg region has already endorsed Ramathuba as the party’s chairperson candidate.

Sekhukhune region has not yet publicly declared support for any specific individual candidate for the upcoming 2026 provincial and local government elections.

Instead, they are focused on party unity, renewal, and ensuring service delivery.

Their primary objective appears to be presenting a united front and selecting capable individuals for councilor and leadership positions who can effectively address community needs like water provision road and jobs.

“In Politics, there’s no permanent enemy, no permanent friend,” said an Independent Political Analyst, Johannes Mushwana

Mushwana said we are likely to see Vhembe region pronounce Florence Randzilani or Dr. Phophi Ramathuba for Chairperson candidate.

“Ramathuba will need Waterberg, Vhembe, and Sekhukhune to secure the position.” said Mushwana

The Mopani Region has endorsed Pule Shayi as their preferred candidate for any Top 5 positions.

“Biskop Makamu played a very significant role during the ANC Mopani regional conference. When Pule was elected for 3rd term. In reality, it was supposed to be Pule, who must now support return the favor, not contest for Provincial Top 5” He said

What could happen if Pule Shayi, John Mpe, and Dr. Phophi Ramathuba contest for Chairperson position?

Mushwana is admant that, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba will win if Florance Randzilani is not in the equation.

So far, the Vhembe region has endorsed Secretary Ruben Madadzhe for the second term.

While Capricorn endorsed John Mpe.

Mushwana said in the current politics of the ANC, General Secretary Fikile Mbalula is the king maker.

“Whoever is on his side will make the conference in March 2026”

In his conclusion, he emphasized that Shayi can only make it as a deputy chairperson, not the chairperson.

The 11th Provincial Elective conference is scheduled for from the 27_29 March 2026.

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