Limpopo Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson Dr. Phophi Ramathuba arriving at the Modjadji Capital of Khetlhakone with ANC Provincial and regional leaders
Limpopo Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson Dr. Phophi Ramathuba has delivered a daring ultimatum to her own government administration.
Speaking to a gathering at the Modjadji capital of Khetlhakone, Ramathuba promised to return in three weeks with concrete solutions to a brewing royal crisis, warning that if officials fail to cooperate, heads will roll.
The Premier made this bold statement following a high-stakes, closed-door bilateral meeting between the top brass of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Modjadji Royal Council. This meeting served as an urgent follow-up to an earlier session that lacked the political weight of the provincial chairperson.
Ramathuba did not arrive alone. She led a powerful ANC Provincial Executive Committee delegation that included Provincial Secretary Reuben Madadzhe, Provincial Treasurer Eddie Maila, and key provincial leadership figures Basikopo Makamu and Tony Rachoene. The Norman Mashabane Region, which encompasses the kingdom, was also heavily represented by its Chairperson Dagma Mamanyoha and Secretary Sonia Ngobeni.
The heavy political presence highlights the desperation of the ruling party. As things stand, the ANC finds itself double-dipping in a dangerous royal feud. On one hand, the national government officially recognizes Queen Masalanabo Modjadji as the legitimate Queen of the Balobedu, following a presidential decree.
On the other hand, it is the traditionalist Modjadji Royal Council that commands the actual loyalty and respect of the rural masses. With local government elections looming on November 4, the ANC cannot afford to alienate the thousands of voters who look to the Royal Family for leadership.
Compounding the political tension is the presence of the South African Communist Party (SACP). The Modjadji Royal Family enjoys a close, warm relationship with SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, who has family roots in the kingdom. Local political experts warn that any slight misstep by the ANC could easily deliver the entire voting bloc of the Balobedu nation straight into the arms of the SACP.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of an ongoing High Court application launched by the Royal Council, which seeks to review and reverse the state recognition of Queen Masalanabo. The council presented a long list of grievances, accusing the Premier’s office and the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) of active sabotage.
The Royal Council slammed the government for what they term a clear unwillingness to recognise and appoint their identified Senior Traditional Leader, Bakhoma Mpapatla Modjadji. Instead, the council argues, the state has actively supported a parallel royal structure orchestrated by ANC veteran Dr. Mathole Motshekga. They point to several incidents as proof that the government has already taken sides despite the ongoing court case.
According to the council’s grievance list, government officials previously made a sudden U-turn on the Mokwakwaila Highway en route to pay traditional respects during Women’s Day preparations. They also accused Mopani CoGHSTA official Mankwana Rabothata of organising secret, underground meetings at Shidila to benefit the Motshekga faction, meetings they claim were blessed by the Premier’s office.
The practical consequences of this political battle have been devastating for the day-to-day administration of the kingdom. The Royal Council revealed that their salaries have been stopped, their official vehicles have been grounded and withdrawn, and they have been denied basic administrative tools like official receipt books to collect traditional levies. They even alleged that there was an intentional plan to close down their historic traditional offices entirely.
The biggest insult, according to the traditionalists, was a public display at Shidila, which was treated by officials as a new Headkraal. It was at this venue that the government handed over a brand-new luxury vehicle to Queen Masalanabo, while the functioning council was left without transport. Furthermore, the council accused state officials of blocking local economic developments and wrongfully interfering in the authorisation of sacred initiation schools.
A pundit well-versed in Traditional and Khoisan Leadership matters observed that the ANC, in its absolute desperation for local votes, has likely promised the Modjadji Royal Council things that it legally cannot deliver under current state laws.
The clock is now ticking for the Limpopo Premier. It remains to be seen what specific report Ramathuba will bring back to Khetlhakone after three weeks, and whether it will be enough to appease a royal nation that feels deeply betrayed by the state.
Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba addressing people gathered at Khetlhakone.