Dr Sethulego Matebesi tells OFM News that Mokgoro faces similar challenges besieging the current ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, of a fightback campaign. This, as Mokgoro prepares to deliver his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Thursday 25 February 2021 as a non-member of the ANC, which is the governing party in the province. 

Matebesi says since Premier Mokgoro took over from his predecessor, Supra Mahumapelo, concerted efforts have been made to try and resolve the issues in the province but he is facing challenges of internal battles. Matebesi says it’s been difficult for Mokgoro because allies of the former premier do not want to see any progress in terms of development in the province.

“The problem is that he is now fighting against people (who are wounded), the so-called ‘wounded click’ in the African National Congress (ANC) and they will also try any means to try and destabilise leadership,” he adds.

Mokgoro has been marred by drama in the recent weeks with the Inter-Provincial Committee (IPC) Coordinator, Hlomane Chauke, announcing the party had decided to suspend the membership of its five top members, including Job Mokgoro.

Mokgoro and others allegedly voted with the opposition party, the DA, in the Provincial Legislature. On the party’s press release, the party said members disregarded its directive and voted with the opposition against their preferred candidate during a sitting.

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Government, led by Mokgoro, held its annual two-day Executive Committee Meeting (EXCO) Planning Lekgotla this week, ahead of Mokgoro's SOPA on Thursday.

The meeting was attended virtually by Members of the Executive Council, mayors, administrators and heads of departments, amongst others.

Mokgoro spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, in a statement says this year’s Planning Lekgotla placed high on its agenda an assessment of the province’s capacity to deliver services to the people of the province, acceleration of the economic recovery and the economic reform against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Setting the scene for the Planning Lekgotla, Premier Mokgoro highlighted capacity weaknesses within the public services, and challenged the State-Owned Entities, in particular, to justify their existence by demonstrating their ability to improve on their developmental mandate," Ngesi adds.

OFM News