12/01/2026
DikgaleNews Update: The Rise of John Mpe
Monday, January 12, 2026
As the ANC Limpopo Provincial Conference draws closer, the political atmosphere in the province is heating up. One name is increasingly dominating discussions across party branches and regional structures: Makoro John Mpe.
🏛️ A Historic Contender from Peter Mokaba Region
The current Executive Mayor of Polokwane and Chairperson of the Peter Mokaba Region is being tipped for the province’s top job. If elected as Provincial Chairperson, Mpe would make history as the first person to lead the ANC in Limpopo hailing from the Peter Mokaba Region the same region that produced the legendary Peter Mokaba himself in Mankweng.
✊ Roots in Activism: From Ga-Molepo to the City
Mpe’s rise to the top is no overnight success. His political profile is built on decades of involvement, starting as a young activist in the 1980s on the "dusty streets" of Ga-Molepo, just outside Polokwane.
The Journey: From his roots in Ga-Molepo, he climbed the ranks through various student and youth structures, eventually becoming a central figure in local government and regional politics.
The Profile: Supporters describe him as a "solidified" leader who understands the challenges of both rural villages and urban centers.
🗳️ What This Means for the Conference
The "Mpe Momentum" suggests a shift in the provincial power dynamics. For years, the ANC leadership in Limpopo has rotated through different regions, but the Peter Mokaba Region—the largest and most influential in the province—is now making a determined push to take the helm.
With the conference on the horizon, all eyes will be on how the branches in the Capricorn District and beyond consolidate their support behind the Ga-Molepo-born leader.
DikgaleNews will continue to bring you updates as the "Road to the Provincial Conference" intensifies
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