Che Selane among those who led the charge against the South African Communist Party speaking.
The 11th ANC Limpopo Provincial Conference took a hostile turn on Friday as the decades old alliance between the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) showed visible signs of cracking.
What was meant to be a formal message of support turned into a scene of open defiance on the conference floor.
A Hostile Reception for Percy Ndlala
The tension peaked when the SACP First Deputy Provincial Secretary, Percy Ndlala, took to the podium. He was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd, specifically from the influential Peter Mokaba and Norman Mashabane regions.
Despite the shouting, Ndlala stood his ground. He delivered the SACP’s message to the end before returning to his seat. This display of anti communist sentiment is the latest flashpoint in a relationship that has rapidly soured over the last few months.
The Roots of the Conflict
The friction stems from the SACP’s recent resolution to contest the upcoming local government elections on its own, rather than under the ANC banner. This move has triggered a aggressive response from the ANC in Limpopo:
*Digital Ousting: The SACP was recently removed from official ANC WhatsApp communication groups.
*Program Exclusion: The party was stripped of its speaking slot at a program for ANC veteran Dikeledi Magadzi.
*Youth League Pressure: The ANCYL provincial secretary has been openly lobbying for the total exclusion of the SACP from all ANC activities.
Reports suggest that a debate to ban the SACP from this conference entirely was lost at the last Provincial Executive Committee meeting. Failing to win the argument behind closed doors, critics of the alliance took their battle to the conference floor today.
Leadership Continuity in Mpumalanga
While Limpopo grapples with internal drama, the neighbouring Mpumalanga province has opted for stability. The ANC there has concluded its elective process by retaining its top leadership.
The confirmed Mpumalanga Top Five are:
*Chairperson: Mandla Ndlovu
*Deputy Chairperson: Speedy Mashilo
*Secretary: Muzi Chirwa
*Deputy Secretary: Mpumi Hlophe
*Treasurer: Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko
What This Means for Limpopo
The booing of an alliance partner signals a shift in the political landscape of Limpopo. As the “Unity Slate” led by Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and Pule Shayi prepares to take charge, they inherit a province where traditional loyalties are being questioned. The open hostility toward the SACP suggests that the road to the 2026 elections will be marked by a more fragmented and competitive political environment.