ANC Norman Mashabane regional chairperson and Mopani District municipal mayor Pule Shayi has called for the dismantling of the leadership slates and pleaded for party unity after being re-elected for the third time.
He made his call during his address at Karibu lodge outside Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Shayi, who was leading what was dubbed as ‘third term’ slate, outvoted former regional secretary Goodman Mtileni of the ‘straight line’ slate to retain his position as the chairperson by 181 to 118 votes.
Greater Letaba municipal mayor Dagma Mamanyoha, a close ally to Shayi, was elected deputy chairperson after defeating Greater Tzaneen municipal mayor Gerson Molapisane with 185 against 115 votes.
Sonia Ngobeni emerged as the regional secretary ahead of Teekay Mohale by 183 to 118 votes.
Maruleng local municipality mayor Tsheko Musolwa was elected deputy secretary ahead of Mopani district municipality spokesperson Odas Ngobeni, who declined nominations for both the deputy chairperson and Secretary, with 180 to 118 votes.
Ba-Phalaborwa local municipality mayor Mariam Malatji lost to the Giyani municipality manager Sidwell Mabunda for the position of regional treasurer with 182 against 117.
The top five positions are all occupied by those who aligned to the ‘third term’ slate in a run-up to the 9th Norman Mashabane regional elective conference.
In his closing address, Shayi urged the delegates to dismantle the slates and go to replenish the ANC in the communities across Mopani districts.
“They were people who expected us to fight because of deferring leadership slates, comrades go to your respective branches to replenish the ANC.
“Contestation is not a sign of conflict or a fight, is merely a fair process of lobbying. Those who supported dzumbanation, referring to Goodman Mtileni, you were not wrong comrades and so are those who supported third term, referring to a slate led by him. In the ANC after electing new leadership the factions should collapse, “ said Shayi.
The outcomes of this elective conference are expected to effect mayoral changes in several municipalities across the district, with those who lost expected to face the axe, after 2026 local government elections.
Shayi, who served two terms as Mopani district municipality executive mayor, will not return to his position and Greater Letaba municipality mayor Dagma Mamanyoha, who is elected as ANC regional deputy Chairperson is likely to take over as the district’s executive mayor.
Shayi is expected to lobby for a top five position in the upcoming ANC provincial elective conference to prepare for his next deployment.
Terrence Rabothata, a 30-year-old ANC sympathiser and a teacher in ward 8 under Greater Tzaneen Municipality, said factional battles should be dismantled. He called on the elected leadership to prioritise service delivery.
“The factional battles in governance should be minimal since they are detrimental to service delivery. Our infrastructure is deteriorating, we have abandoned factories in Tzaneen and Nkowankowa which must be renovated and be utilised for job creation.
“People under Letaba municipality deserve a proper town, more buildings must be built in Modjadjiskloof and that town must have more shopping buildings to save cost for people of Sekgosese and Sekgopo by traveling to Tzaneen and Elim.
“We are expecting leadership that will revive this liberation movement and also do away with tribalism, jobs must as well be given to deserving people who meet relevant criteria, “ Rabothata said.
