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Tribalism has been a sensitive issue in Limpopo politics since democracy, so much so certain decisions had to be taken to maintain cohesion among the tribal groups – ba-Pedi, vha-Venda and va-Tsonga.

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Sizwe sama Yende

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The jostle for the position of Limpopo premier is taking a twist as some comrades are now raising issues of tribalism, claiming BaPedi had been premiers since the dawn of democracy.

Although there is a strong push for the province to have its first female premier, the argument among this group is that neither of the female frontrunners are Tsonga.

Unconfirmed reports say that health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba, was nominated by majority of branches to succeed Premier Stanley Mathabatha after the 2024 general elections. Ramathuba’s rivals are ANC provincial deputy chairperson, Florence Radzilani, and treasurer, Nakedi Sibanda-Kekana.

The dark horse has been cooperative governance, traditional affairs and human settlements MEC, Basikopo Makamu. Makamu is the ANC’s provincial deputy secretary.

These names, which are mentioned in the race point to a wedge in the so-called “VBS faction,” which rallied behind Mathabatha’s campaign for a third term as provincial ANC chairperson. They won the last conference despite the scandal of the Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank hovering over them.

Radzilani and Sibanda-Kekana were mayors of Vhembe district and Lepelle-Nkumpi municipalities, which invested millions of taxpayers’ money in the bank that were lost when VBS was liquidated due to massive corruption.

Tribalism has been a sensitive issue in Limpopo politics since democracy, so much so certain decisions had to be taken to maintain cohesion among the tribal groups – ba-Pedi, vha-Venda and va-Tsonga.

The most embarrassing moment in recent times was when XiTsonga musician Thomas Chauke was forced off stage after playing a song at the government’s Mapungubwe Arts Festival in 2019 and allegedly told by some people that they did not like the language the song was done.

If the tribal debate gains traction among the majority of branches, it will present an outside chance for Makamu because he is Tsonga, has a position in the ANC’s top five and that his name has remained untainted in any scandal so far. Makamu has support from the predominantly Tsonga-speaking Mopani region where he hails from.

“This is a difficult topic, but it needs to be raised because all Limpopo premiers have been Pedi males since democracy,” said one of Makamu’s supporters.

 “The province needs to show unity and give a chance to everyone from any tribe. It is good that women are being recognised and are running the race, but it still shows the same pattern of BaPedi dominance in the leadership,” he added. “Makamu does not have any scandal attached to his name. If given a chance to lead government, that would automatically correct the perception that there is bias.”

Another ANC member from Sekhukhune region said that it could not be denied that the element of tribalism existed. “It is clear for everyone to see. The Peter Mokaba region is supporting Sibanda-Kekana and that is a BaPedi line. Vhembe is supporting Ramathuba and that is a Venda line,” he said.

Limpopo ANC spokesperson, Jimmy Machaka, said that the process for the nomination of a premier candidate had not taken place, but said it was not dealt with on the basis of tribal identity.

“There is no tribalism within ANC politics. There are just some people who attempt to use it. However, the ANC has the ability to deal with it whenever it raises its ugly head,” Machaka said. “There is no decision that the incoming premier must be a woman. If there is such a debate, surely the PEC will consider it and decide whether to accept or reject it,” he added.

An ANC member from Peter Mokaba said that tribalism was not the right approach to elect or appoint leaders in the party and that it could set a bad precedent. He said that merit should be used to determine who should lead the organisation.

“It’s a wrong mentality to say the party must go shopping for a Tsonga or Venda to be a premier ... leaders must be elected because they deserve those positions. Even that thinking that Limpopo should have a female premier is just wishful as there is no resolution that has been taken within the party. The branches should choose,” he said.

Mathabatha will likely go on retirement after the general elections. He has ambitions to be elected national ANC chairperson at Nasrec but he sabotaged himself when he broke ranks with the province’s branches and decided to support former Health minister Zweli Mkhize to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa.