Public works in Limpopo MEC Dickson Masemola says he is unconcerned about being booted out of the provincial cabinet if he fails to depose premier Stan Mathabatha as ANC provincial leader.
The two factions vying for leadership of the province are ramping up their efforts as the conference approaches in just over two months.
Despite the fact that Mathabatha reappointed Masemola to his provincial cabinet, Masemola will run against him for the second time.
Pressed on whether he is worried that should he lose the contest he is likely to be thrown into the wilderness, Masemola was unfazed.
“My service to the people of Limpopo is not about me and at no point will I be tempted to make it to be about me. The branches determine leadership and the process that pre-occupy us as leaders is the course of national purpose we are called upon to perform or serve and nothing else,” he said.
“Understandably, the internal democracy in the ANC finds expression and deepens when contests occur because it’s not about individuals but an organisational process that seeks to build and contribute to the renewal and revival of the ANC,” he added.
Masemola has linked up with ANC provincial secretary Soviet Lekganyane in an attempt to depose Mathabatha, who is understood to be irritated that the MEC is pursuing him again, according to sources.
Mathabatha has provincial treasurer Danny Msiza on his side as an ace up his sleeve.
Masemola was dismissed from Mathabatha’s cabinet after losing to him in the race to succeed Cassel Mathale as provincial chairperson.
Mathabatha is furious with Masemola, according to those close to him, and is likely to fire him if he wins another term. “Branches of the ANC as basic units of the organisation determine leadership of the organisation and I have been approached by many branches in the province to stand and contest for the position of chairperson. Understanding the culture and tradition of the ANC on matters of leadership selection I cannot, as a disciplined member of the ANC, disappoint those branches which have confidence in me regarding the upcoming provincial conference,” said Masemola.
He stated that it was not a matter of slates, but rather of collective leadership preferences, which might contribute significantly to the ANC’s renewal programs.
