African National Congress (ANC) president Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the newly elected Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to replicate its strong electoral performance in the upcoming municipal elections, saying that “the whole ANC relies on Limpopo.”
Ramaphosa delivered the closing remarks at the ANC’s 11th Limpopo provincial conference on Sunday.
He highlighted the province’s importance as a longstanding stronghold of the party.
Limpopo was the only province where the ANC secured more than 70% support in the May 2024 national and provincial elections.
Praising the province’s contribution, Ramaphosa said its leadership across regional, branch and ward levels played a key role in achieving the result.
“You gave us 70% plus of the vote, and thank you so much,” he said.
He added that the party depends heavily on Limpopo’s electoral strength.
“The whole ANC relies on Limpopo to come up with the top numbers,” Ramaphosa said.
However, he noted that he had expected even stronger performance in 2024.
“I had expected that you would give us 90% and more, but of course, you went down. But you still gave us the highest votes,” he said.
Ramaphosa called on the province to aim higher in the upcoming local government elections and beyond.
“You must make it a real home of the ANC by giving us 90% in the coming local government elections,” he added.
Local government elections are expected later this year, with political parties already announcing mayoral candidates in key metros and beginning their campaigns.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula previously said the party is intensifying preparations through a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening its position across municipal councils.
“Local government elections are fought in every municipality and every ward. Our wall-to-wall plan means we must have candidates for every one of the 205 local councils, eight metro councils, and 44 district councils, with more than 4,458 wards and over 23,000 voting districts,” he said.
Mbalula announced that candidate selection will begin on April 1, following a decision by the party’s National General Council.
“The Top 7 of the ANC will lead and appoint mayors at the metro level and in secondary cities. We have adopted the framework at national level and will unveil it this coming week,” he said.
The party plans to launch its local government elections manifesto in June and submit candidate lists before August.
“Our biggest challenge is changing the mood of potential ANC voters across municipalities,” Mbalula said.
Meanwhile, on Saturday IOL News reported that Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has been elected unopposed as the ANC’s first female provincial chairperson in the province.
Her election followed a High Court ruling in Polokwane that dismissed an urgent application to interdict the provincial conference.
A unity slate emerged at the conference, with all top candidates elected without opposition.
Ramathuba replaces outgoing chairperson Stanley Mathabatha.
The newly elected provincial leadership includes:
-Chairperson: Dr Phophi Ramathuba
-Deputy chairperson: John Mpe
-Provincial secretary: Reuben Madadzhe
-Deputy secretary: Pule Shai
-Treasurer: Eddie Maila
Ramathuba assumes leadership at a critical time, with the task of consolidating unity, managing internal dynamics and strengthening the party ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
IOL Politics
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
