Rival Bojanala ANCWL factions elect two executive committees

ANC flag outside Luthuli House. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) in the Bojanala region was plunged into turmoil after two parallel elective regional conferences were held, each electing its own executive committee and both claiming legitimacy. The emergence of rival structures sets the stage for fierce factional battles in the platinum belt, with the potential to spill into other ANCWL formations and the mother body itself.

The dispute comes at a critical moment, as the ANC is about to embark on an intensive renewal programme and prepares to launch its campaign for the2026 local government elections. The ANCWL North West provincial executive committee (PEC) convened a conference at Soshanguve Hotel in Tshwane, where a new regional executive committee (REC) was elected under the PEC’s authority. This was despite concerns aboutirregularities flagged in the lead-up to the meetingand that it was held away from the regional jurisdiction.

The PEC-sanctioned list comprised Johanna Libidike as regional chair, Shiela Mabale-Huma as deputy chair, Zukiswa Vezi as regional secretary, Gontse Matebesi as deputy secretary and Dimakatso Kgosimora as treasurer. The additional members were Christinah Malola, Balu Chipape, Reina Motaung, Letta Mokadi, Lerato Morapedi, Kgomotso Nkolisi, Lerato Kgafela, Kgomotso Mafa, Gaba Manaiwa and Sonia Matlawe. Dissatisfied members boycotted the Soshanguve conference believing it was irregular and questioned the jurisdiction being held in Tshwane in Gauteng, instead of in Bojanala in North West.

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The disillusioned members who accused the PEC of divisive handling of the process staged a separate conference at Ben Marais Hall in Rustenburg. They argued that ANC election guidelines had been ignored and the road map for the conference was never properly implemented. At the Rustenburg gathering, delegates elected a new regional executive committee led by Basebi Lekoro as chair, Majo Seoketsa as deputy chair, Monica Zwide as secretary, Dikeledi Selotlego as deputy secretary and Dorothy Mabika as treasurer.

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