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"contents": "Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has cracked the nod from the ANC to be sworn in as Premier of Limpopo.\r\n\r\nTwo sources close to the process who spoke on condition of anonymity have confirmed to <i>Daily Maverick</i> that she will replace Premier Stanley Mathabatha, who announced that his second term as premier had ended.\r\n\r\nMathabatha is on the list of ANC members destined for the National Assembly.\r\n\r\nRamathuba is among members of various political parties who are due to be sworn in as members of the legislature on Friday, with similar processes taking place in other provinces and the National Assembly.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-05-anc-announces-its-shortlist-of-premier-candidates/\">ANC shortlists its premier candidates</a>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1740095\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rudzani-hospital5.jpeg\" alt=\"Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha flanked by MECs Dr Phophi Ramathuba\" width=\"720\" height=\"378\" /> <em>Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha flanked by MECs Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Seaparo Sekwati and Enza Construction management team at the handing over of a construction site in Polokwane. May 2024. (Photo: Rudzani Tshivhase)</em></p>\r\n\r\nLast week the ANC in the province held a special Provincial Executive sitting at Bolivia Lodge to nominate three names to be submitted to ANC headquarters at Chief Albert Luthuli House for interviews. According to ANC members who spoke on condition of anonymity, Ramathopha emerged as the front-runner.\r\n\r\nOther names touted included MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Nakedi Sibanda Kekana, and her Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Gogta) counterpart Basikopo Makamu. Interviews were held from Sunday and by Tuesday, speculation mounted that Ramathuba had made it.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/elections-dashboard/\">Elections Dashboard</a>\r\n\r\nRamathuba (50) has been MEC for Health in Limpopo for almost a decade. In 2022 she came under fire after her interaction with a Zimbabwean patient in a Bela-Bela hospital went viral after being posted on X.\r\n\r\nIn the video clip, Ramathuba is seen in black scrubs at a patient’s bedside. She launched into a rant when the patient said she spoke Shona. Many on social media expressed outrage at Ramathuba’s manner and conduct.\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">? 'You're supposed to be with Mnangagwa, he doesn't give me money to operate you guys. Now I must operate you with my limited budget...'</p>\r\nMoment Limpopo Health MEC and provincial ANC official Dr Phophi Ramathuba confronted Zimbabwean patient admitted at a hospital in Bela-Bela <a href=\"https://t.co/Ddkk3ATRtQ\">pic.twitter.com/Ddkk3ATRtQ</a>\r\n\r\n— ZimLive (@zimlive) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/zimlive/status/1562138134208552960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 23, 2022</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\r\n\r\nAn inquiry was launched last year into her conduct.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-08-24-limpopo-health-mec-ramathubas-xenophobic-rant-against-zimbabwean-patient-polarises-sa/\">Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s xenophobic, dehumanising diatribe against Zimbabwean patient</a>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-31-limpopo-health-mec-phophi-ramathubas-disciplinary-hearing-set-to-continue-in-january-2024/\">Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba’s disciplinary hearing set to continue in January 2024</a>\r\n\r\nThe National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has been calling for Ramathuba’s removal, alleging millions of rands of irregular spending on protective clothing and equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as illicit tenders.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-27-scandal-of-the-year-covid-19-corruption/\">Scandal of the Year: Covid-19 corruption</a>\r\n<h4><b>ANC mum on Premier appointment</b></h4>\r\nRamathuba’s spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha refused to confirm that Ramathuba would replace Mathabatha as Limpopo premier. “People should wait for an official announcement which, for now, is not known who is the Premier candidate,” said Muavha.\r\n\r\nANC spokesperson Jimmy Machaka said confirmation will not be divulged to the media until the official announcement.\r\n\r\n“Kindly note that votes which comrades got during the nominations remain an internal matter and will only be disclosed once the process is complete,” Machaka stated.\r\n\r\nHe said 48 members of the ANC are expected to be sworn in on Friday at Jack Botes Hall, a legislative sitting in Polokwane.\r\n\r\nIn a statement, the provincial legislature indicated that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have nine seats and the Democratic Alliance (DA) has four seats. 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"description": "<p data-sourcepos=\"1:1-1:299\">The 2024 general elections in South Africa are<span class=\"citation-0 citation-end-0\"> the seventh elections held under the conditions of universal adult suffrage since the end of the apartheid era in 1994. The</span> elections will be held to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each province.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"3:1-3:251\">The current ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has been in power since the first democratic elections in 1994. The ANC's popularity has declined in recent years due to corruption, economic mismanagement, and high unemployment.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"5:1-5:207\">The main opposition party is the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA is particularly popular among white and middle-class voters.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"7:1-7:387\">Other opposition parties include the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The EFF is a left-wing populist party that is popular among young black voters. The FF+ is a right-wing party that represents the interests of white Afrikaans-speaking voters. The IFP is a regional party that is popular in the KwaZulu-Natal province.</p>\r\n<p data-sourcepos=\"15:1-15:84\">Here are some of the key issues that will be at stake in the 2024 elections:</p>\r\n\r\n<ul data-sourcepos=\"17:1-22:0\">\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"17:1-17:205\">The economy: South Africa is facing a number of economic challenges, including high unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The next government will need to focus on creating jobs and growing the economy.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"18:1-18:171\">Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in South Africa. The next government will need to take steps to address corruption and restore public confidence in government.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"19:1-19:144\">Crime: Crime is another major problem in South Africa. The next government will need to take steps to reduce crime and make communities safer.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"20:1-20:188\">Education: The quality of education in South Africa is uneven. The next government will need to invest in education and ensure that all South Africans have access to a quality education.</li>\r\n \t<li data-sourcepos=\"21:1-22:0\">Healthcare: The quality of healthcare in South Africa is also uneven. The next government will need to invest in healthcare and ensure that all South Africans have access to quality healthcare.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nThe 2024 elections are an opportunity for South Africans to choose a new government that will address the challenges facing the country. The outcome of the elections will have a significant impact on the future of South Africa",
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"description": "Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has cracked the nod from the ANC to be sworn in as Premier of Limpopo.\r\n\r\nTwo sources close to the process who spoke on condition of anonymity have confirmed to <i>Daily Maverick</i> that she will replace Premier Stanley Mathabatha, who announced that his second term as premier had ended.\r\n\r\nMathabatha is on the list of ANC members destined for the National Assembly.\r\n\r\nRamathuba is among members of various political parties who are due to be sworn in as members of the legislature on Friday, with similar processes taking place in other provinces and the National Assembly.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-05-anc-announces-its-shortlist-of-premier-candidates/\">ANC shortlists its premier candidates</a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1740095\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-1740095\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rudzani-hospital5.jpeg\" alt=\"Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha flanked by MECs Dr Phophi Ramathuba\" width=\"720\" height=\"378\" /> <em>Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha flanked by MECs Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Seaparo Sekwati and Enza Construction management team at the handing over of a construction site in Polokwane. May 2024. (Photo: Rudzani Tshivhase)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLast week the ANC in the province held a special Provincial Executive sitting at Bolivia Lodge to nominate three names to be submitted to ANC headquarters at Chief Albert Luthuli House for interviews. According to ANC members who spoke on condition of anonymity, Ramathopha emerged as the front-runner.\r\n\r\nOther names touted included MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Nakedi Sibanda Kekana, and her Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Gogta) counterpart Basikopo Makamu. Interviews were held from Sunday and by Tuesday, speculation mounted that Ramathuba had made it.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/elections-dashboard/\">Elections Dashboard</a>\r\n\r\nRamathuba (50) has been MEC for Health in Limpopo for almost a decade. In 2022 she came under fire after her interaction with a Zimbabwean patient in a Bela-Bela hospital went viral after being posted on X.\r\n\r\nIn the video clip, Ramathuba is seen in black scrubs at a patient’s bedside. She launched into a rant when the patient said she spoke Shona. Many on social media expressed outrage at Ramathuba’s manner and conduct.\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">? 'You're supposed to be with Mnangagwa, he doesn't give me money to operate you guys. Now I must operate you with my limited budget...'</p>\r\nMoment Limpopo Health MEC and provincial ANC official Dr Phophi Ramathuba confronted Zimbabwean patient admitted at a hospital in Bela-Bela <a href=\"https://t.co/Ddkk3ATRtQ\">pic.twitter.com/Ddkk3ATRtQ</a>\r\n\r\n— ZimLive (@zimlive) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/zimlive/status/1562138134208552960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 23, 2022</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\r\n\r\nAn inquiry was launched last year into her conduct.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-08-24-limpopo-health-mec-ramathubas-xenophobic-rant-against-zimbabwean-patient-polarises-sa/\">Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s xenophobic, dehumanising diatribe against Zimbabwean patient</a>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-31-limpopo-health-mec-phophi-ramathubas-disciplinary-hearing-set-to-continue-in-january-2024/\">Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba’s disciplinary hearing set to continue in January 2024</a>\r\n\r\nThe National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has been calling for Ramathuba’s removal, alleging millions of rands of irregular spending on protective clothing and equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as illicit tenders.\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-27-scandal-of-the-year-covid-19-corruption/\">Scandal of the Year: Covid-19 corruption</a>\r\n<h4><b>ANC mum on Premier appointment</b></h4>\r\nRamathuba’s spokesperson Thilivhali Muavha refused to confirm that Ramathuba would replace Mathabatha as Limpopo premier. “People should wait for an official announcement which, for now, is not known who is the Premier candidate,” said Muavha.\r\n\r\nANC spokesperson Jimmy Machaka said confirmation will not be divulged to the media until the official announcement.\r\n\r\n“Kindly note that votes which comrades got during the nominations remain an internal matter and will only be disclosed once the process is complete,” Machaka stated.\r\n\r\nHe said 48 members of the ANC are expected to be sworn in on Friday at Jack Botes Hall, a legislative sitting in Polokwane.\r\n\r\nIn a statement, the provincial legislature indicated that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have nine seats and the Democratic Alliance (DA) has four seats. 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"summary": "Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba is poised to ascend to the position of Premier of Limpopo, succeeding Stanley Mathabatha, amid a cloud of controversy and speculation, with the ANC keeping tight-lipped on the official confirmation.",
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"search_title": "Controversial Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba tipped to be sworn in as premier ",
"search_description": "Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has cracked the nod from the ANC to be sworn in as Premier of Limpopo.\r\n\r\nTwo sources close to the process who spoke on condition of anonymity have confirmed to <i>Daily Ma",
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"social_description": "Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has cracked the nod from the ANC to be sworn in as Premier of Limpopo.\r\n\r\nTwo sources close to the process who spoke on condition of anonymity have confirmed to <i>Daily Ma",
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Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha flanked by MECs Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Seaparo Sekwati and Enza Construction management team at the handing over of a construction site in Polokwane. May 2024. (Photo: Rudzani Tshivhase)