Maile said it was odd that most of the people working in the mines were from outside the region.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula was welcomed with loud cheers, dance and ululations from the visibly elated delegates of the ANC Sekhukhune regional elective conference.
The two-day ANC Sekhukhune regional elective conference was held on Thursday and Friday at the Boiketlong Lodge, outside Jane-Furse.
Mbalula was flanked by Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, former Limpopo ANC Youth League chair, Tonny Rachoene, former Limpopo ANC deputy chair Dickson Masemola and ANC youth league President Collen Malatji, among many other ANC bigwigs.
Malatji, who was the first to speak, accused mining houses in the region of failing to give back to the communities in which they do business.
He said he was baffled that Sekhukhune, home to 27 mines, was branded one of the poorest regions in the country, while communities are sitting on top of mining-rich explorations.
“This region is rich. It contains some of the most vital mining minerals that could turn Sekhukhune into a lasting economic zone. The leadership elected here today, working hand in glove with the leadership of the ANC, both in the province and nationally, must do something about this,” he said.
Maile said it was odd that most of the people working in the mines were from outside the region.
“This is not right. Something must be done,” he said.
In 2002, former President Thabo Mbeki visited the region and called on the government to allocate its resources optimally to improve its economic fortunes.
A symbol of unity
Addressing the conference, Mbalula said he was pleased that it had discussed vital issues in commissions, which would, in turn, change the lives of the people of Sekhukhune.
He said he was pleased that the region was a symbol of cohesion and unity. He added that the conference was the first to conclude its business without any conflicts.
“We are in a process of renewal. Should your branch be found operating against the constitution of the ANC, that branch must be nullified from participating in the activities of the party.
“Over the next three weeks, other regions would be running their own elective conference. The leadership in Sekhukhune was elected unopposed. That is a simple example of unity, and showcases a clear understanding of how the ANC runs its business. That should happen in all other regions,” he said.
Mbalula also called on angry branch members to avoid going to courts each time they had differences during BGMS.
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He said the ANC has a culture of solving its own problems within its own structures and not in courts.
“This is how we do things in the ANC, when you lose the conference, you don’t fight, you rally behind the leadership that has won the conference,” he said, followed by loud cheers from the jubilant audience.
He further praised Limpopo, saying under the tutelage of the provincial secretary, Vhomusanda Reuben Madadze, Limpopo was in good shape.
The ANC might have lost votes in the elections. There is no doubt that Limpopo is the home of the ANC. There is also no doubt that the ANC is in charge of the province, as there is no government of the provincial unity.
“I implore all ANC branches to come to Sekhukhune and see how branches come together and deliver a clean conference. I am saying if you want to see good leadership, come to Sekhukhune,” he said.
Decisive victory in 2026
Mbalula said ANC regions must work together to deliver a decisive victory in the 2026 local government elections. He said if united “our good President Cyril [Ramaphosa] will smile”.
“Cyril is a good President. We work well together and under his leadership, the ANC will thrive and so will the South African government”
The conference elected mayor for the Sekhukhune district municipality Minah Bahula as regional chair, mayor for the Elias Motsoaledi local municipality David Tladi as deputy, ANC bigwig Mathope Tala as secretary, mayor for the Fetakgomo/ Tubatse Eddy Maila as deputy secretary and mayor for the Ephraim Mogale Given Moimana as the region’s treasurer.
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