HAS the ANC left the building in Limpopo?

A traditional stronghold for the ANC, supporters have raised concerns about the party’s wellbeing in Limpopo. More specifically, in Tzaneen’s Norman Mashabane region, which sees the party’s once-plush, multi-storey headquarters sitting vacant. Back in November 2025, the ANC suffered a massive salary backlog that sparked protests and even affected secretary general Fikile Mbalula himself.

He said the former-majority-rule party’s ongoing financial difficulties were due to declining donations, which presented several organisational challenges. “The ANC salary backlog does not give us a good image as an organisation. We rely on donors and contributions have declined. So, we will have to start using other fundraising mechanisms,” the secretary general said at the time.

HAS THE ANC LEFT THE BUILDING IN LIMPOPO?

Now, adding fuel to the fire, is the fact that the ANC headquarters in 3rd Avenue Arbor Park, Tzaneen, is sitting vacant, reports The Citizen. And the Norman Mashabane region is the biggest for the ANC in the province, too, with 129 branches. Allegations suggest the ANC is bankrupt in the region and it has abandoned its plush headquarters because it has become too expensive to maintain.

As such, the party now operates out of a small rented office in 2nd Avenue, just around the corner. The original offices were built by ANC regional leadership through fundraising and donations back in 2010 and officially opened in 2012. An executive committee member explained that donations took the form of cash. But also, any spare building supplies like, “cement, bricks, window frames and panes and furniture.”

A NEW LOOK, BUT AT WHAT COST?

Interestingly, those close to the executive committee suggest there’s another reason for the ANC vacating the building. The party has abandoned the building due to serious defects with its piecemeal construction. And because the building was too large. Many offices were never filled even after construction was finished.

A former security guard for the building says months would go by without anyone entering the offices. And the poor construction of the top portion leads to ‘frightening sounds’ on the third floor. However, ANC regional spokesperson Peter Ngobeni refutes the allegations.

“The old HQ is gathering dust because there are renovations underway. Leadership took a decision to give our offices a new look. We agreed to raise funds to revamp the building inside and outside. Work on site is now at an advanced stage. And we have planned to go back to our building in two months or so,” says Ngobeni.

But what do you think? Are you from Tzaneen? Is construction on the ANC headquarters advancing as claimed? Please let us know in the comments section below …