The upcoming regional conference of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Vhembe region is set to provide fireworks, with two strong groups fighting for the top leadership positions. The conference was supposed to be held in December last year but was postponed to 8 and 9 March this year.
Vhembe is the second biggest region in the province, which makes this conference very important to either maintain or shift the political power balance. Two of the ANC's top politicians are also lobbying for support for leadership positions ahead of the conference.
The current regional chairperson in Vhembe is the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Tshitereke Matibe. He will be up against Simon Mavikane. Although the serious contest is for the secretariat, which is a key position in the ANC, the contestants for these positions were not yet known at the time of our going to press.
From what could be gathered, the Matibe camp enjoys the support of the Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, as well as the ANC's provincial secretary, Vhamusanda Vho Reuben Madadzhe. The Mavikane camp, on the other hand, is backed by Florence Radzilani, the MEC for Social Development and deputy chairperson of the ANC in Limpopo.
Matibe is the longest-serving regional secretary in the Vhembe region, having served as the regional chairperson for two consecutive terms. He is said to have overwhelming support from many branches to become the party's main man for the next two years.
Some of the ANC members in the region said that the nominations at branch level were still continuing. "It is through the nominations that we can tell who is going to contest for which positions. We are now in the process of finalising the audit, which will determine the candidates," said one of the members.
The Matibe camp is expected to field the following candidates:
* Chairperson: Tshitereke Matibe
* Deputy Chairperson: Fridah Nkondo (Vhembe Executive Mayor)
* Secretary: Miyelani Chauke
* Deputy Secretary: Dorcus Mboyi (Makhado Mayor)
* Treasurer: Fistos Mafela (Chief Whip of Musina)
The Mavikane camp's expected candidates are:
* Chairperson: Simon Mavikane
* Deputy Chairperson: Samuel Munyai
* Secretary: Rudzani Ludere
* Deputy Secretary: Livhuwani Ligaraba
* Treasurer: Mihloti Muhlophe