Latest news with #Mpe
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Will new ANC faction take over in Limpopo?
Factions aligned to Maropene Ramokgopa and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni are vying for power in Limpopo. A powerful political clique aligned to the ANC's second deputy Secretary-General Maropene Ramokgopa is instilling fear among senior ANC politicians in Limpopo ahead of the party's provincial elective conference in 2026. The new faction has been dubbed 'The Third Term'. It consists of Polokwane mayor Makoro John Mpe and Mopani district municipality mayor Pule Shayi. Both Mpe and Shayi, who are allies of Ramokgopa, won the Peter Mokaba and Norman Mashabane regional elective conferences respectively in the past few days. Norman Mashabane is the biggest region with 129 ANC branches, followed by Vhembe with 127, Sekhukhune 118 and 113 for Peter Mokaba. Peter Mokaba is the economic hub of the province and the seat of the province's capital, Polokwane. Another faction, The Straight Line, led by Capricorn district municipality mayor Mamedupi Teffo, lost the Peter Mokaba conference on Thursday to Mpe's 'Third Term' slate. It is aligned to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who is also a member of the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) and national working committee (NWC). Both Ramokgopa and Ntshavheni are allegedly working around the clock to garner support in Limpopo for their election in the upcoming ANC national elective conference in 2027. ALSO READ: Limpopo ANC conference rocked by membership manipulation claims A senior politician in the Norman Mashabane region said the plan for 'The Third Term' faction is for Mpe to replace Stan Mathabatha as Limpopo ANC chairperson and Shayi to replace MEC for social development Florence Radzilani as the deputy chair at the upcoming provincial elective conference. Political analyst Enoch Maponya said ANC regional contests are build-up events for both the provincial and national elective conferences. 'The outcome of these conferences often charts the way forward for the prospective leadership at the upper structure,' he said. Maponya said it is rumoured that Mpe's allies have begun to tout him for the plum job of ANC provincial chair. 'Most see him as the most powerful comrade to replace Mathabatha, while others support Limpopo premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba. Ramathuba has been credited for pushing service delivery-related issues in the province,' he said. NOW READ: Tensions erupt in Limpopo ANC after vandalism of spokesperson's bakkie
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
R765m mega-hotel to be built in Polokwane
Polokwane will see a mega development in progress when the construction of a seven-storey skyscraper will start before the end of the municipality's financial year-end on June 30. Hotel backed by international investors During a media briefing at the new Peter Mokaba stadium last week, mayor John Mpe said investors from the UAE are behind the building of the hotel at the Green Ark Precinct opposite The Greenery Shopping Centre. 'As we grow, Polokwane continues to attract local and international investment… this project represents more than bricks and mortar – it means jobs, tourism and a significant boost to the local economy,' said Mpe. Construction to start in two months According to the mayor, construction on the development is expected to commence mid-May 2025. 'The first rounds of plans approval are almost complete and upon receipt thereof, the first phase of the development will continue in full swing. The first phase includes individual regional offices for three of South Africa's largest banks, as well as the underground basement parking. The second phase will include an international Hilton Hotel and a long-stay apartment block,' Mpe elaborated. The mayor added that approximately 3 000 jobs will be created during construction, with an estimated 360 permanent jobs resulting from the final development and future businesses operating within the precinct. Millions pumped into local economy According to Mpe, the investment amount pledged to the precinct is R765m based on the current signed deals. This figure is expected to increase significantly as further negotiations with prospective tenants and partners are concluded. To date, the developer, Networth Group, has already spent in excess of R72.2m on key elements such as rezoning, bulk infrastructure upgrades and professional and legal fees related to the development, according to Mpe. Once the development is fully operational, it is estimated to increase the city's tax and revenue base by R9.9m per annum, of which R5.2m will be generated from the hotel component alone. 'This not only boosts the city's economic footprint but also strengthens the financial foundation required to deliver quality services to residents and businesses,' Mpe said. He confirmed that a prestigious sod-turning ceremony will be held to commemorate the official ground breaking of this landmark development. Preparations are underway to host the event at the end of May and the municipality looks forward to sharing this momentous occasion with its stakeholders and key partners, he said. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
