By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated the newly elected African National Congress (ANC) Limpopo leaders, encouraging them to lead with humility and integrity.
Ramaphosa was delivering his closing remarks at the ANC elective conference in Polokwane.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has been elected uncontested as the ANC’s first female provincial chairperson in the province.
A unity slate emerged with all top candidates elected without opposition. Ramathuba replaces outgoing chairperson Stanley Mathabatha.
The newly elected provincial leadership includes:
- Chairperson: Dr Phophi Ramathuba
- Deputy chairperson: John Mpe
- Provincial secretary: Reuben Madadzhe
- Deputy secretary: Pule Shai
- Treasurer: Eddie Maila
Ramaphosa commended the party’s provincial leadership for organising a peaceful conference and called on the province to aim higher in the upcoming local government elections.
“You must make it a real home of the ANC by giving us 90% in the coming local government elections,” he added.
Local government elections are expected later this year, with political parties already announcing mayoral candidates in key metros.
Ramaphosa said the governing party has no plans to abandon its policies on black economic empowerment (BEE) and affirmative action.
“Those who say BEE must stop and affirmative action must stop are just dreaming, because will not abandon the BEE policies that we have embarked upon. Because we see them as transformative,” Ramaphosa said.
The grumbling around BEE has reached a crescendo in recent months. This has been amplified by those who would never have liked the policy anyway, even if it had been flawless, as well as by younger people who feel it hasn’t worked for them.
Ramaphosa said, the government is “undertaking a review to refine, realign and strengthen” BEE to ensure it “supports greater transformation and inclusive growth”.
He also said the government is prioritising industrial development to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the lives of many.
“We remained focused on sectors that will drive future growth. We know that we can create millions of good quality jobs in sectors like agriculture, mining, services and the green economy.”
The President emphasized that tackling unemployment requires consistent and collaborative action between the government and the private sector, aimed at driving an inclusive economy.
South Africa’s official unemployment rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points from 31.9% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 to 31.4% in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025.
This is according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the fourth quarter of 2025 conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
Ramaphosa said the country’s economy has posted four consecutive quarters of growth, signs that the government’s economic recovery is gathering pace.