Limpopo ANC Premier Stan Mathabatha

[FILE] Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha during the NCOP findings on different government department debriefing meeting on September 19, 2016 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Sandile Ndlovu)

Stanley Mathabatha re-elected Limpopo ANC chairperson, entire slate makes top five

In January, the re-elected Mathabatha said the Limpopo branch of the ANC would support Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid for a second term as party president.

Limpopo ANC Premier Stan Mathabatha

[FILE] Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha during the NCOP findings on different government department debriefing meeting on September 19, 2016 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Sandile Ndlovu)

Stanley Mathabatha was re-elected as the African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in Limpopo for the third time in a row after blowing away Dickson Masemola at the provincial conference outside Polokwane this weekend.

ANC LIMPOPO ELECTIVE CONFERENCE

Mathabatha scored 781 votes against Masemola’s 389. The re-elected chairperson’s entire slate won their battles and makes up the ANC’s top five in the province.

Florence Radzilani was re-elected as deputy chairperson with 791 votes to Livhuwani Ligaraba’s 373.

Ruben Madadzhe beat Soviet Lekganyane to the provincial secretary position with 714 votes to 451, while Nakedi Kekana was elected as the new provincial treasurer.

The ANC Limpopo conference was relatively hassle-free compared to other provincial elective conferences seen across the country this year. However, the step aside rule had a part to play in proceedings.

Madadzhe was a late addition to Mathabatha’s slate. In the run-up to the election, City Press reported that the preferred candidate, Danny Msiza, who was implicated in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, had prepared a letter declining his nomination and deferred it to his protégé, Madadzhe.

According to EWN, Mathabatha’s reign as Limpopo chairperson may be short-lived as he has previously indicated that he wants a seat in the ANC national top structure. Msiza, and not the deputy chairperson, Radzilani, is expected to take over as top official in the province if this comes to pass.

Mathabatha controversially declared that the Limpopo branch of the ANC would support President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid for a second term at the party’s 110th birthday celebrations in Polokwane in January.

Ramaphosa is expected to close the conference on Sunday.

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