ANC Disrupts Provincial Back-to-School Campaign

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein – Barely a month after the Free State Provincial Government (FSPG) deployed members of its Executive Council (EXCO) to schools across the province’s five regions as part of the 2026 Back-to-School Campaign, the programme has taken an unexpected and controversial turn.

What was initially planned as a government-led service delivery intervention has now reportedly been redirected and scaled down, allegedly due to internal African National Congress (ANC) power dynamics within the province.

Despite repeated public assertions by ANC Free State Secretary Polediso Motsoeneneng that “there are no two centres of power” between party and government, developments on the ground appear to contradict this position.

Last Thursday, Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae, together with Gregory Nthatisi, presided over a “heritage celebration” event held in January.

The timing of the event coincided with ANC January 8 commemorations, raising questions about the blurring of party and state activities.
More controversially, the event was held at Waaihoek Wesleyan Church, the historic site where the ANC was founded in 1912.

This occurred while much of the provincial ANC leadership was in Rustenburg, participating in a door-to-door campaigns linked to the official ANC January 8 Statement celebrations.

Leaked EXCO Deployment Plan
According to a leaked EXCO deployment document seen by this publication, Joyce”Pretenders”Mathae and her Executive Council were originally scheduled to visit schools across all regions of the Free State as part of the provincial Back-to-School programme.

However, the document indicates that this plan has since been altered. Instead of continuing with province-wide school visits, EXCO members have reportedly been redirected to Xhariep District, where the ANC is set to host its provincial political event.

The back-school visit by EXCO was drafted last as Dr Solomon Phera, Director-General of FSPG was still acting and everything last week after Kgotso Morapela, former EFF member summoned office managers.

Dr Mamiki Maboya, MEC for Education who was billed to go to Kaelang High school today will now to Xhariep.

Viceroy Mahlatsi, MEC for Health who was billed to Tlotlo SS in Clocolan today will also go to Xhariep.

Critics argue that this shift prioritises party political interests over government service delivery and undermines the stated objectives of the Back-to-School Campaign.

In addition to FSPG leadership, the following institutions are also expected to attend and address communities at the ANC event:

• Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
• Department of Home Affairs
• Presidential Imbizo Unit (PIU)
• ⁠Free State Training Development Institute-FSTDI

Questions have since been raised about the appropriateness of government departments participating in what is perceived as a partisan political programme.

The province just lost number 1 spot in matric results and need motivation more than ever, Mathae and her team thought it’s wise to dump provincial government even for a regional celebration in the most underdeveloped region that is totally controlled by ANC.

Cutting the nose to spite the face
MEC Maboya and HOD Malakoane failed dismally to protect Thabo Mofutsanyane District Director against the bully, SADTU just weeks before exams.

Education department sack top performing district director to please SADTU

They axed the district director and replaced her with Chief Director who spends more than in hospital due to ill health.

This is a developing story.

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