BDP’s Bulela Ditswe looms as branch elections favour incumbents
Some Botswana Democratic Party candidates are demonstrating significant influence and strong planning abilities as the party prepares to host its eagerly anticipated primary elections dubbed ‘Bulela Ditswe.’
These are the candidates that secured the majority of votes in the Branch Committee executive elections last weekend.
The primary elections - initially set for July 2023 - were postponed due to adjustments in constituencies and wards recommended by the Delimitation Commission.
This delay has heightened competition among Parliamentary candidates, who are actively seeking control over local constituency structures, particularly the Branch committees, which greatly influence the primary election results.
BDP’s Chairman of Communications, Kagelelo Kentse confirmed that the primary elections will now take place in the next few weeks after a comprehensive overhaul of the party’s leadership framework.
The announcement signals the start of a heated electoral competition across the board, as party candidates begin their campaigns.
During the Branch Committee executive elections for GoodhopeMmathethe,
Finance Minister, Peggy Serame won one Chairperson position while Minister of Health Dr Edwin Dikoloti won all the positions.
For the Kanye East, MP Thapelo Letsholo won against former Kanye legislator, Kentse Rammidi and Councillor for Mafhikana ward Thamiso Chabalala. There are six executive positions in the Branch committee and it is generally believed that the one who has control of the Branch, wins.
MP Letsholo has successfully gained the support of the Branch committee, with all his preferred candidates winning their respective elections. The strategic win was most noticeable in the election for Chairperson where Letsholo’s nominees received 42 votes, surpassing Chabalala’s 29 and Rammidi’s 18.
In the fiercely contested Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency, Minister Serame’s team secured only one out of six positions, while Minister Dikoloti’s team claimed the remaining five.
Similarly, in the Takatokwane constituency, incumbent Friction Tshoganetso Leuwe achieved a complete victory against former MP Ngaka Ngaka, securing all positions.
Other incumbent MPs who held Branch Committee executive elections are Molebatsi Molebatsi, Lefoko Moagi, Machana Shamukuni, and Beauty Manake.
In an interview with The Midweek Sun, Letsholo emphasised the importance of the congress as a vital internal process within the BDP. As an MP and party representative, he said he is committed to collaborating closely with whoever is elected to the Branch leadership team.
“I am ready to officially start the campaign once the party gives approval for the campaign phase, following the recent submission of expressions of interest,” he stated.
However, there are allegations that other Branch executive committee elections did not take place due to internal conflicts within the party.
The conflict involving Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Talita Monnakgotla and Assistant Minister of Health, Setlhomo Lelatisitswe, allegedly disrupted the entire process.
BDP Secretary General, Kavis Kario claimed ignorance about any internal conflicts, saying he has never received any reports regarding such issues.
He assumes that the candidates will host the Branch Committee executive elections and that they are currently preparing to do so.
“I only believe that they were not able to hold the Branch committee elections last weekend due to preparations, not any internal conflicts,” Kario said.