The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo is marching toward its 11th Provincial Conference this March 2026 under a banner of “Unity.” On the surface, the province appears to have found peace through a consensus leadership slate. However, beneath the polished press releases lies a fierce rebellion from the strongholds of Vhembe and Mopani.The Unity Slate: A New Power Axis.
The proposed leadership collective—endorsed by heavyweights like COSATU—is a strategic alliance designed to ensure a smooth transition from the Stan Mathabatha era. The “Unity Slate” is currently headlined by: Chairperson: Dr. Phophi Ramathuba (Premier); Deputy Chairperson: John Mpe (Polokwane Mayor); Secretary: Reuben Madadzhe (Incumbent); Deputy Secretary: Pule Shayi (Mopani District Mayor) and Treasurer: Eddie Maila (Fetakgomo-Tubatse Mayor)
By bringing together the influential Peter Mokaba (Polokwane) and Norman Mashabane (Mopani) regions, this slate aims to create an unstoppable voting bloc. But for those left out, “unity” looks a lot like a purge.
The Disgruntled: Vhembe and Mopani Push Back : The primary resistance comes from the supporters of Florence Radzilani and Basikopo Makamu. Both are seasoned leaders who feel the new “consensus” ignores the traditional seniority and regional balance of the province.
Florence Radzilani (Vhembe): As the current Deputy Provincial Chairperson, Radzilani is the matriarch of the Vhembe region. Her supporters are livid that she has been sidelined in favour of the Ramathuba-Mpe axis. They argue that Vhembe, one of the ANC’s most consistent performers, is being unfairly stripped of its provincial influence. In recent months, her camp has challenged the legitimacy of the nomination process, claiming that the “Unity” tag is being used to silence dissent in her home region.
Basikopo Makamu (Mopani): In the Norman Mashabane region, MEC Basikopo Makamu remains a formidable figure. His supporters view the elevation of Pule Shayi to the Provincial Secretariat as a move to consolidate Shayi’s power at Makamu’s expense. They have raised the alarm over “gatekeeping” during branch nominations, alleging that meetings are being fast-tracked to exclude Makamu-aligned delegates.
The Battle of the Branches: The real war is being fought in the Branch General Meetings (BGMs). In the Norman Mashabane region alone, 39 disputes were allegedly lodged during the nomination phase, with nearly 20 ending up at the National Dispute Resolution Committee (NDRC).
Disgruntled members claim that: Bogus Delegates: Individuals not on the official rolls were allowed to vote; Gatekeeping: Branch secretaries loyal to the unity slate allegedly refused to sign off on BGM packages for “rebel” branches and Violence: Factional clashes have broken out in several sub-regions, requiring provincial intervention.
If the NDRC rules in favour of the disgruntled branches, the “Unity Slate” could face a floor challenge. While the leadership wants a “bloodless” conference, the supporters of Radzilani and Makamu are determined to prove that unity cannot be forced from the top down. For them, the 11th Provincial Conference isn’t a coronation, it’s a fight for survival.