Monakedi victorious

THE race for the chairperson position of the ANC Peter Mokaba region left Polokwane mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, out in the cold after delegates rallied behind former Capricorn district mayor, Motalane Monakedi, and voted him their new chairperson.

Nkadimeng, who received support from the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) lost the leadership race during the seventh Peter Mokaba regional conference held at Masana Lodge in Polokwane from Friday to Sunday under the theme, Unity in Action Towards Radical Socio-Economic Transformation.

Monakedi’s deputy chairperson is John Mpe, with Eugene Masete as secretary, Sammy Selamolela as deputy secretary, and Nakedi Sibanda as treasurer.

Monakedi was interrupted during his acceptance speech when ANCYL members, including Jimmy Machaka and Musa Chabane, stood up and continuously called for a point of order.

Mpe advised Chabane and Machaka to lodge their complaints with the relevant structures within the ANC. He warned the two to be quiet, saying security would be summoned.

Once again addressing the conference, Monakedi said the ANC still had confidence in Nkadimeng and there was no plan to remove her from her position as Polokwane mayor. Nkadimeng congratulated Monakedi on his win.

Monakedi pledged his and his committee’s commitment to better the lives of the people, adding that people would not be disappointed.

“We will prioritise unity among ANC members in the region. Without unity in the ANC, we can’t win the fight against poverty and unemployment.

“We are going to make sure that service delivery is up to standard and ensure that there is peace in Mankweng,” Monakedi said.

ANC provincial secretary, Nocks Seabi, said all that was now left to be done, was to support the newly elected leadership.

“We can’t go on with these factions within the ANC structures.

“There are many challenges in the Peter Mokaba region like the taking over of the University of Limpopo by the Economic Freedom Fighters.

“We contested the by-elections of two wards in Polokwane and they went to the DA. We have to work hard and reclaim the university as well as these wards.

“There is no place for lazy people in the ANC. Once you are a leader, you must work hard and lead by example. Monakedi should also do this,” Seabi said.

Unhappy over Monakedi’s election, Machaka said when Monakedi was regional convener previously, he undermined ANC provincial chairperson Stanley Mathabatha by delivering his report before the conference was opened by Mathabatha.

“When premier Mathabatha was supposed to open the conference, we were shocked by Monakedi who stood up and delivered a political report before the conference could be officially opened. That is not the culture and tradition of the ANC. As a delegate of the conference, I was offended by Monakedi’s behaviour.

Attempts to speak with Nkadimeng were fruitless as she declined to participate in the conference after the election results were announced.