ANC Postpones Eastern Cape Conference, Elects Female Chair in Limpopo

The African National Congress postponed its provincial elective conference in the Eastern Cape indefinitely on Saturday, amid ongoing legal disputes, while the party celebrated a unified leadership election in Limpopo, where Dr. Phophi Ramathuba became the first woman to serve as provincial chairperson. These developments occurred over the weekend in South Africa's two provinces as the ANC prepares for the 2026 local government elections.

In the Eastern Cape, the conference, originally set for March 26 to 29 in East London, was halted by an interim order from the Eastern Cape High Court on Thursday. The ruling followed complaints from ANC members Lwazi Rotya, Sinethemba Mpande, and Nompumelelo Mzothwa, who alleged irregularities in branch legitimacy, delegate accreditation, and internal appeals processes. The applicants accused party leaders, including Provincial Chairperson Oscar Mabuyane and NEC deployee Mmamoloko Kubayi, of proceeding with preparations despite the order, prompting an urgent contempt application on Friday.

The situation resolved without a full hearing after provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukaitobi announced the postponement, leading both sides to reach an...