ActionSA has landed a significant political and cultural coup in Limpopo after unveiling beloved singer, songwriter and actress Candy Tsa Mandebele Mokwena as its newest recruit.
Mokwena, who has been an ANC supporter for the past 32 years, has joined Herman Mashaba’s party and was among a few new recruits the party unveiled in Polokwane on Wednesday .
The unveiling coincided with the official opening of the party’s headquarters in Polokwane by the organisation ‘s provincial chairperson Victor Mothemela.
The announcement injected star power into the party’s provincial structures, with ActionSA leaders hailing the move as a significant boost to their campaign to expand their footprint across Limpopo ahead of the local government elections.
Known simply as Tsamandebele to her legion of fans, Mokwena is more than just a musician. She is a cultural powerhouse whose music has become synonymous with the traditions, language and identity of Limpopo’s people.
Her rise to fame began in humble surroundings. Born and raised in Limpopo, Mokwena discovered her passion for music at just 14 years old when she joined her mother’s traditional music group, Sekgapa. What started as a childhood love for singing soon evolved into a remarkable career spanning more than three decades.
She entered the professional music industry in 1993 as a songwriter before breaking into the spotlight two years later as a member of the popular Shaka Bundu Girls group.
Over the years, Mokwena carved out a unique space in South Africa’s entertainment industry by remaining fiercely committed to her roots. She became one of the country’s most prominent ambassadors of Khelobedu, a dialect of Northern Sotho, using her music to preserve and promote the language on national platforms.
Her influence reached new heights in 2016 when she released her debut solo album, Siki (Five Cents), through Sony Music. The album produced the hit single Baile and cemented her status as one of Limpopo’s most celebrated artists.
Now, the award-winning performer is stepping onto a different stage which is politics.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Mokwena confirmed that she had dumped the ANC after 32 years of support and joined ActionSA, saying she had effectively served the governing party with “divorce papers” after years of feeling abandoned and sidelined.
“I was a supporter of the ANC for the past 32 years. After Cyril Ramaphosa became the president, there were no opportunities for me and other artists from Bolobedu. The same artists are booked to perform at all major ANC festivals and government events. Bolobedu artists are ignored,” she said.
Mokwena, who was based in Gauteng, said she relocated to Limpopo four years ago and has struggled to secure work ever since.
“I have been here in Limpopo for four years and the last time I performed was about four years ago at a government event in Mokwakwaila. Since then, no work has come my way,” she said.
Despite feeling neglected, she remained loyal to the ANC in the hope that conditions would improve.
“It’s like when you are in an abusive marriage. You stay because you hope things will get better. But when there are no changes, what do you do? You leave,” she said.
The singer said poor service delivery in her village and government’s failure to recognise Khelobedu as one of South Africa’s official languages also contributed to her decision to dessert the ANC.
“I did my own assessment and afterwards I almost joined the DA. But I decided to join ActionSA because of President Herman Mashaba’s leadership style,” she said.
Mokwena said she intends using her influence to help grow ActionSA in Limpopo.
“I will work hard to recruit Balobedu artists to join the party as part of my contribution to the growth of this organisation,” she said.
ActionSA believes Mokwena’s popularity and deep connection to grassroots communities could prove invaluable as the party seeks to win over voters in rural areas of the province.
Her arrival is being viewed as more than just another political membership announcement. It is a strategic move that brings together politics, culture and community influence under one banner.
