Alex Matlala

MEC for local government and housing, and deputy provincial secretary of the ANC in Limpopo, Maite Nkoana- Mashabane, wants to be the ANC provincial chairman, which will put her in line to become premier of Limpopo.

She disclosed her availability to lead the organisation in the province last week.

Nkoana-Mashabane, who is also a member of the ANC national working committee and national executive committee, revealed her intentions barely two months before the provincial conference to be held in July.

She said the ANC in the province was divided and needed a woman with a track record and unmatched international profile to lead the province.

With the exception of Gauteng all current premiers have served one term in office and five of the nine premiers are men.

"Nkoana-Mashabane is a tried and tested ANC cadre who has been through thick and thin in the building of ANC structures in and outside the province," her spokesman, Clayson Monyela, said yesterday.

In 1995 Nkoana-Mashabane was appointed South Africa's high commissioner in Malaysia.

She also served as high commissioner in India, where her husband, the late Norman, was ambassador to Indonesia, serving in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Nepal.

According to a document from Nkoana-Mashabane's office, Sekhukhune mayor Dickson Masemola will be deputy chairman of the organisation, provincial secretary Cassel Mathale will retain his position.

MEC for agriculture Rosina Semenya is earmarked for deputy secretary and Joe Mathebula for treasurer.

Meanwhile, a list of candidates released by the youth league favours Mathale as chairman, Masemola as deputy chairman, Joe Maswanganyi as secretary, Pinky Kekana as deputy secretary and Dipuo Letsatsi as treasurer.

The chairman of Mopani district, Humphrey Mokgobi, has openly supported the youth league list.