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IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC Peter Mokaba regional conference, where chairs were thrown amidst fistfights, may get a rerun
The executive mayor of Polokwane and newly elected ANC Peter Mokaba Region chairperson John Mpe may have to challenge for his position during a possible rerun of a recent conference. Image: supplied The ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Conference in Limpopo may face a rerun after supporters of Mamedupi Teffo, the ANC Women's League Provincial Chairperson and Capricorn District Mayor, launched a complaint against the chaotic conference. The conference, which was held at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, saw Polokwane Mayor John Mpe reelected as chairperson unopposed, despite allegations of irregularities and internal disputes. Teffo was to challenge Mpe, but did not in protest against the alleged irregularities. According to documents shared on social media, 31 branches were allegedly disqualified in a final dispute report, leaving only 74 qualifying branches - below the required 70% threshold of 79 branches. Delegates who raised these issues argued that the conference should not have proceeded without addressing outstanding disputes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Some delegates accused the Regional Task Team (RTT) of allowing "bogus" delegates into the venue, leading to verbal disputes that escalated into physical confrontations. Former ANC Youth League official in the province Thabo Mabotja, who supports Teffo, is leading the charge insisting that the elections were not legitimate. He and other officials have contacted ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, filing a complaint against the alleged regularities. The group has called for a conference rerun to be held within 30 days. Mbalula has not yet responded to the complaints. Mabotja claimed that the conference did not meet the necessary quorum to continue with elections and announced plans to submit a formal complaint to the ANC's provincial and national structures. "We believe these elections were irregular and premature. We will be engaging the provincial and national leadership on this matter," Mabotja said. Other ANC members in Mabotja's camp vowed to take the matter further, saying they are considering legal action with some claiming that ANC provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe was biased because he was aligned to Mpe. ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed that the party in the province was awaiting communication from Mbalula as to what decision he had taken. "We are awaiting the decision of the ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, regarding the outcomes of the conference or the submitted disputes," said Machaka. However, Madadzhe has since legitimised the conference, despite chaotic scenes and allegations of irregularities. "We stand by that decision that the conference is not bogus, and is a legitimate conference of the ANC. You will never have a bogus conference of the ANC with four PEC officials attending the conference," Madadzhe said.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH LIVE: Ramaphosa speaks at funeral of ANC veteran Gertrude Shope
Shope passed away in her home in Gauteng last Thursday at the age of 99. Mourners are gathering at the Great Hall at Wits University in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Saturday to pay tribute to late former ANC Women's League president Gertrude Shope. Shope passed away in her home in Gauteng last Thursday at the age of 99. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that she would be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 1 ceremony. Special provincial funerals are divided into two categories and can be provided to an outstanding or distinguished person on request to the president by the premier of the province. The State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy manual of 2016 states at category 1 ceremonies the national flag shall fly at half-mast at every flag station in the province — including the burial site or cremation facility — a day before the burial or cremation until the evening of the day of the burial or cremation. For category two, the national flag flies at half-mast at every flag station in the province — including the burial site or cremation facility — on the day of the burial or cremation until that evening. ALSO READ: ANC Women's League veteran Gertrude Shope dies at 99 A life of service Shope lived in exile for nearly 25 years with her husband Mark and her children in Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, and in the then Czechoslovakia. 'She organised women and communities in the country as well as international organisations to oppose apartheid and alleviate the plight of oppressed communities while the struggle was underway. 'She also had the distinction of being listed as a co-conspirator in the Rivonia Trial, alongside Oliver Tambo, Joe Slovo, Ben Turok, Duma Nokwe, Joe Modise, Jack Hodgson and others,' said government in tribute. Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the eulogy between 8am and 9am.
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa to deliver eulogy at funeral of late 'Ma Gertrude Shope'
Ramaphosa honoured 'Ma Shope' with a Special Official Funeral Category 1 ceremony that will incorporate military honours. ANC veteran and freedom fighter Gertrude Shope passed away peacefully at her home in Gauteng at the age of 99. Picture: Supplied President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the eulogy at the special official funeral of the late former ANC Women's League President Gertrude Shope. Ramaphosa honoured 'Ma Shope' with a Special Official Funeral Category 1 ceremony that will incorporate military honours. Special official funeral The funeral service will take place in the Great Hall at Wits University in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Saturday, with Ramaphosa expected to deliver the eulogy between 8am and 9am. Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president has expressed his deep condolences to 'Ma Shope's' family and friends and her political home, the African National Congress (ANC) 'President Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at flag stations around the country to the evening of the funeral. ALSO READ: WATCH: Mnganga-Gcabashe's dedication a wake-up call for 'ANC sleepers' – Ramaphosa Shope Ma Shope passed away last Thursday at the age of 99. Shope was an Umkhonto we Sizwe leader and the first president of the ANC Women's League following its relaunch in 1991. She also served on the ANC national executive, among many other roles she held in politics. Shope fought tirelessly against apartheid and for women's emancipation. ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said Shope was a 'lifelong revolutionary'. 'Ma Shope, born on 15 August 1925, was a leader of profound discipline, courage and humility. From her early activism to the dawn of democracy, she served the struggle with unmatched commitment – in the underground, in exile, and in the democratic Parliament. 'As former President of the ANC Women's League, head of the ANC Women's Section in exile, and a member of the ANC NEC, she played a pivotal role in shaping the political direction of our movement and the emancipation of women in South Africa and beyond,' Bhengu-Motsiri said. Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe Last week, Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at the funeral of ANC Women's League deputy president Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe at a packed Durban ICC. Ramaphosa said Mnganga-Gcabashe was a courageous and graceful leader who served the ANC and South African women with unwavering dedication and dignity. 'We should continue building so that those who are said to be sleeping inside the ANC, who are called sleepers, should wake up from their stupor and realise that they are having a bad dream and wake up to the warm embrace of the African National Congress once again'. Mnganga-Gcabashe died earlier this month at the age of 64. ALSO READ: ANC Women's League veteran Gertrude Shope dies at 99
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Visit to US came amid 'increasing strain' between two countries, Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa said 'false narratives' about a so-called genocide have been peddled by 'fringe' groups in both countries. US President Donald Trump meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2025 amid tensions over Washington's resettlement of white Afrikaners that the US president claims are the victims of 'genocide'. Photo; AFP President Cyril Ramaphosa says his recent visit to the US to meet with his counterpart, President Donald Trump, came at a time when relations between the two countries were under 'increasing strain', mainly due to disinformation. Ramaphosa made the remarks in his weekly newsletter, From the Desk of the President, on Monday. The president met with Trump last Wednesday. He was joined by four ministers, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. Trump proved to be a political rottweiler for Afrikaners and white farmers and shifted the focus from what began as a cordial discussion with Ramaphosa, but veered sharply off course to farm attacks in South Africa, ambushing the president. Trump visit Ramaphosa said he and his delegation went to Washington to meet with Trump in the Oval Office to establish a 'basis for greater economic cooperation and to address some of the challenges' that have recently arisen in relations between our two countries. 'Our visit came at a time when US-SA relations have come under increasing strain, largely as a result of misinformation peddled by fringe groups in our two countries, including a false narrative about a so-called genocide and an orchestrated campaign of violence against white farmers.' Ramaphosa said in this context, it was critical for Pretoria to engage directly with the US administration to correct misinformation and provide a true account of the progress 'we have made as a democracy and the many and complex challenges we still face.' ALSO READ: 'There is doubt in Trump's head about genocide in SA,' Ramaphosa says [VIDEO] 'While this was a necessary conversation, the overarching aim of our visit was to deepen our strategic economic partnership with the us as our second-largest trading partner,' writes Ramaphosa. Issues to be addressed Ramaphosa said the US is a key export market for South African goods, which include motor vehicles, agricultural products and, increasingly, critical minerals. During the bilateral talks which played out before the media, Trump showed videos of EFF leader Julius Malema to support his false belief in genocide against whites in the country, asking why Malema has not been arrested. On Saturday, after delivering the eulogy at the funeral of ANC Women's League deputy president Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, Ramaphosa was asked by a reporter about Trump's issues. 'I am at a funeral, and we are here to mourn, and I would prefer that I'm allowed to mourn. All these issues will be duly addressed properly.' Despite the unsubstantiated claims made by Trump about genocide in South Africa, Ramaphosa, after meeting, said the talks with Trump were fruitful. 'We were able to have a robust engagement with Trump, and it was also good to have a number of members of the delegation to field either a number of questions or make comments. So, that in my view, it was really good.' On Sunday, while addressing EFF supporters during a rally in Ward 16, Koppies, in the Free State, on Africa Day, Malema said he doesn't fear for his life and is not intimidated by the US or its president, Donald Trump. ALSO READ: WATCH: Donald Trump ambushes Cyril Ramaphosa in Oval Office
The South African
25-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Cyril Ramaphosa shuts down Donald Trump talk at funeral
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that issues raised by US President Donald Trump during their recent Oval Office meeting in Washington will be addressed 'in due course,' but declined to elaborate further when questioned. The bilateral meeting, described by both sides as 'robust and fruitful,' took a contentious turn when President Trump brought up farm attacks in South Africa and played videos of EFF leader Julius Malema, claiming – without evidence – that there was a genocide against white farmers. He also questioned why Malema had not been arrested. Addressing the media briefly at a funeral service for the late deputy president of the ANC Women's League, Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe, Ramaphosa said: 'I am at a funeral and we are here to mourn, and I would prefer that I'm allowed to mourn. All these issues will be duly addressed properly. Here I've come to mourn my sister… So I'm in the mood of mourning, if you don't mind.' President Cyril Ramaphosa later clarified that Julius Malema and the farm attack narrative were not part of the formal agenda during the Oval Office talks, and dismissed the insinuations as unfounded. He also confirmed that Starlink, the satellite internet service by Elon Musk, was not discussed at the meeting, despite speculation that it might be on the table. Despite the tense moment, Ramaphosa described the meeting as productive, particularly during a working lunch that included discussions on trade, investment, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) – and even golf. 'There is ongoing engagement between US and South African officials, particularly on trade and industry matters,' he noted. The meeting came amid increased diplomatic strain between the two nations, following US cuts to aid and tension over South Africa's non-aligned stance on several global conflicts. Trump's remarks on race and land reform have added fuel to long-standing diplomatic friction. Nevertheless, Ramaphosa expressed hope that bilateral cooperation will continue, emphasising South Africa's commitment to dialogue and mutual respect. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
