- Maun becomes one of the notable battle grounds for Tsogwane & Molefhi
- Maun delegates reportedly divided between the two contestants
- Team Molefhi fears victimization
- Both parties however applauds President Mokgweetsi Masisi for not taking sides
At the height of campaigns for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party national executive committee positions at the upcoming 39th National Elective Congress, Maun has suddenly become one of the notable battle grounds for the two contestants for the Chairmanship position.
Following his challenger Nonofho Molefhi’s campaign in Maun this past weekend, incumbent chairman who is also the country’s Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane is this weekend expected to also land in Maun with a sole purpose to sway Maun East and West delegates to his side.
The weekend visit to Maun by Tsogwane is viewed in some quarters as a damage control exercise following Molefhi’s campaign.
During his visit to Maun, Molefhi was reportedly given the platform to relay his campaign message to the delegates. The Maun branches (East and West combined) elected 16 delegates and eight Observers over the weekend for the upcoming 39th National Elective Congress which is slated for August 26th -28th in Tsabong.
Reports from the congress indicate that the elected delegates from Maun are not necessarily in support of any candidate, but are divided between the two. However, it is difficult to confirm as the party line has been that delegates should not openly reveal which side they are on.
Reluctant to say how the elections went, Team Molefhi in Maun had this to say, “We are okay with how the elections of delegates went. We cannot say we have delegates or not because some of them are afraid of victimisation for being aligned to Molefhi. Already some have started to receive calls, and questioned why they are aligned to Molefhi. We have chosen not to disclose them because we talked to them and they have assured us of their position”
That as it may, both parties have also applauded President Mokgweetsi Masisi for having not taken any side ahead of the congress noting that the decision encourages unity within the party.
“President Masisi has recently indicated that he will not take sides ahead of the congress but he would rather want for the BDP to make their own decisions. In the 2017 congress, the President openly supported one of the candidates but this time around it’s different, and this is the spirit that brings unity to the party,” they applauded.
However, in a brief interview, Regional Chairman Reaboka Mbulawa expressed confident that all the elected members will represent them well at the upcoming National Elective Congress.
Mbulawa who is aligned to Team Tsogwane believes that if something is not broken, why fix it. He added that BDP members must know the reason to change the current tradition of the party whereby the VP is the Chairman. He further added that it is their responsibility to bring stability into their party.
“We have been using the same culture and tradition for many years and we have never seen any problem or challenges in running this country therefore I personally believe there is no need for change,” he stressed.
The BDP National Congress will elect new Chairperson, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer and some additional members.
Nonofo Molefhi’s team comprises of Shaw Kgathi for Secretary General, Unity Dow (Deputy SG), Satar Dada for Treasurer, Tebelelo Seretse for Deputy Treasurer as well as Tekolo Gosego, Julia Miranda, Bridget Mavuma and Falaki Mononi as additional members.
Team Tsogwane’s list comprises of Kavis Kario for Secretary General, Dr Lemogang Kwape for Deputy Secretary General, Satar Dada for Treasurer, Jagdish Shah for Deputy Treasurer as well as Ngaka Ngaka, Neo Kealotswe, Oabile Regoeng, Angelinah Sengalo and Machana Shamukuni as additional members.
