The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Norman Mashabane region, Limpopo, has cracked the whip on Tzaneen sub-regional convenor, Tonic Sehlwana, for labelling provincial chairperson Faith Sebopela a “small girl” during a heated argument in a meeting.
The league has provisionally suspended Sehlwana, the Markshope (Tzaneen) sub regional convenor, for hurling insults against Sebopela when she tried to caution him to be brief when he was talking at the meeting last month.
This happened during the league’s provincial working committee (PWC) two day visit to the Norman Mashabane (Mopani) region in March 2025.
According to Norman Mashabane ANCYL regional spokesperson, Thabo Malatjie, Sehlwane felt suppressed after Sebopela interjected and cautioned him to be mindful of time when talking. He lost it and started to throw insults at her.
“Even when we tried to calm him down, he didn’t hold his insults back and was forced to call the securities to take him out of the meeting venue,” Malatjie said.
In a statement released on Tuesday, 22 April, the regional youth league announced that it had placed Sehlwana on a precautionary suspension.
“In a decisive step, the REC resolved to place Comrade Tonic Sehlwane, the convener of Markshoppe sub-region, under precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the regional disciplinary proceedings.
“This follows his disrespectful and derogatory remarks directed at Provincial Chairperson Comrade Faith Sebopela, whom he insulted and called her a “small girl” during the PWC visit to Norman Mashabane. Such conduct is unbefitting of a cadre of the movement.
“The ANCYL will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards its leadership. Comrade Faith Sebopela, as the foremost representative of the youth in the province, must be afforded the highest level of revolutionary respect and support,” reads part of the statement.
This came amid jostling for power ahead of the upcoming Norman Mashabane ANC regional conference in May.
The regional youth league has dumped Mopani District Municipal Spokesperson Odas Ngobeni as its candidate for the Deputy Chairperson position. It says it now supports Letaba Municipality Mayor Dagma Mamanyoha as MDM executive mayor Pule Shai’s deputy. The Norman Mashabane ANCYL announced its support for Ngobeni in January.
They initially supported Mamanyoha’s candidacy as regional secretary, replacing incumbent secretary Goodman Mitileni, who’s contesting Shayi for the regional top job in the ANC.
Malatjie said the reconfiguration is not informed by lack of confidence in Ngobeni, but a realisation that he can do well as the regional secretary.
The Norman Mashabane ANCYL is known as staunch followers of Shayi.
Their call follows after Ngobeni, who was a close ally of Shayi, rejected the talks to make a way for Mamanyoha as the preferred deputy chairperson and contest for the secretary position.
As a result, Ngobeni was removed from Shayi’s slate and replaced with MDM technical senior manager Sonia Ngobeni, as their preferred secretary.
According to an insider, Odas Ngobeni felt betrayed by Shayi and is intending to form his leadership block labelled “GNU” to continue his contest for the deputy chairperson, and he’s expected to face off with Mamanyoha and Greater Tzaneen municipality mayor Gerson Molapisane.
Alternatively, Odas Ngobeni may join forces with another leadership faction led by Mitileni.
The Norman Mashabane regional conference is set to square off from 2-4 May 2025.
