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While the contents of the 2022 delimitation commission report which was recently handed over to President Mokgweetsi Masisi are yet to be made public, some sneak peeps from some quarters indicate that the report has recommended for 4 new constituencies.
Two of those new constituencies are said to be in the North West region, where an additional constituency has been recommended for greater Maun to be named Maun North, while Okavango is to be split into Okavango West and East.
The delimitation commission was appointed in May 2022 following the motion to increase the number of constituencies from 57 to 61 that is an addition of four new ones.
According to reports that are circulating, Mogoditshane has been divided into 2 constituencies being Mogoditshane East and Mogoditshane West while Kgatleng has three constituencies- Kgatleng Central, East and West.
Following the development, it is yet to be seen how things will now unfold but chances are that some plans for political parties in the affected constituencies mostly as to who stands where are likely to change. This is because some stronghold wards/villages for candidates have been moved from one constitution to another.
Maun East is now made up of Makalamabedi, Chanoga, Samedupe, Phuduhudu and Somelo while Maun West will comprise of Sehithwa, Kareng, Bodibeng, Komana, Toteng, Bothatogo, Semboyo and Makakung. Maun North will feature Sankoyo, Shorobe, Khwai, Xaxaba, Mababe and Ditshiping.
Okavango East comprises Gudigwa, Beetsha, Seronga, Xakao, Mohembo.Kauxwi, Tovera, Sekondomboro, Ngarange, Mogotlho, Gunotsoga and Eretsha. Okavango West on the other hand will be made of Etsha 13, Ikoga, Sepopa, Nxamasere, Shakawe,Samochema, Gani, Tsodilo, Nxauxau, Chukumuchu, Kajaja and Jao..
Some however believe that the delimitation will possibly help avoid primaries for the ruling party especially at the parliamentary level as interested candidates will have alternatives. To highlight, former cabinet minister, Jacob Nkate who was reportedly contemplating to contest for Ngami is likely to relocate to Maun West and leave the former for BDP Secretary General, Kavis Kario.
The development also may see some members of the ruling party who were reportedly indecisive about whether they will contest the next general elections or not deciding to stand. The likes of former cabinet ministers, Konstantinos Markus and Thato Kwerepe are reported to likely seek their return to parliament.
Reaboka Mbulawa who has been eyeing for Maun East says he still got his eyes fixed on the constituency. Mbulawa said he gladly welcome the delimitation as it will help the MPs to reach their constituents and effectively deliver services to them, something which he said was previously not easy to do because of the wideness and tough terrain of the constituencies.
Reached for comment both the BCP and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) North West regional chairpersons said they are yet study the report and deliberate on it that is when they can give and informed comment to this publication. However, chances with the BCP/AP/BLP coalition are that Kekgonegile will stand for Maun East, Carter Hikuama for new face Maun West, Dumelang Saleshando for Maun North, Kenny Kapinga for Okavango West and Kabelo Mahupe for Okavango East.
The development comes when the UDC was still yet to identify suitable candidates for some of the constituencies in the region and this means that the party now has another task to also look for more candidates for the two new created constituencies. Former cabinet minister and MP Bagalatia Arone who has been eyeing Okavango is likely to contest for Okavango East while Mpho Tiego may take Maun West and outspoken Sedie Ward councilor, Kaukapita Kaukapita is likely to take Maun North.
