Johannesburg - Limpopo Agriculture MEC Joy Matshoge has been elected unopposed as provincial chairwoman of the ANC Women’s League.
She was elected unopposed at the weekend, after outgoing chairwoman Maite Marutha declined nomination. Unity was the buzz word at the two- day congress, with almost all speakers emphasising unification of the rank and file.
This meeting was markedly peaceful compared to the last congress in December.
Irate delegates put panties on their heads in that aborted congress and chased away ANC Limpopo secretary Nocks Seabi. They had accused Seabi of meddling with women’s affairs ahead of that congress.
Seabi’s presence was testament to the fact that he and the women in green uniforms had smoked the peace pipe.
Delegates cheered with excitement when Seabi was asked to wave at them to confirm his attendance.
Marutha’s refusal to stand for re-election marked the end of the road for all remnants - in key positions - of all ANC provincial structures, who were known to be loyalists of former chairman and premier Cassel Mathale.
Marutha said Mathale, whose provincial executive committee was disbanded in 2013, remained her comrade. But Marutha said she opted not to contest Matshoge for the sake of unity of the league.
“We are looking forward to 2016 (municipal elections) and it’s important to go there as a solid unit,” said Marutha.
Outgoing secretary Maleke Makganyetse lost the contest to Lilliet Mamaregane while Martha Maswanganyi beat Maggie Mashishi as treasurer.
The Star