Umbrella triumphs as sun sets in Bophirima

It was clear from the moment they could not agree on candidacy that it would be an uphill battle for the opposition to snatch the Bophirima ward in the Gaborone Bonnington South constituency.

As the sun finally set on the highly contested election, it was Umbrella for Democratic Change’s (UDC) Mankie Sekete who came out victorious.

The campaign trail for the ward was a different one, what with Botswana Congress Party (BCP) fielding a candidate against the UDC. While one would have thought this would give the ruling party leeway, it was not enough.

Unlike any other council by-election, leaders of the three parties were hands-on throughout the campaign. Even the Head of State Mokgweetsi Masisi knocked at the doors of Gaborone West residents canvassing for votes. From as early as 5am, members of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), BCP and the UDC were in the streets of Gaborone West knocking on doors to assist with transportation to the polling centres.

Others braved the harsh weather and went to the polling stations on their own. By the close of polling stations at 7pm, dozens of ‘madibela tlhopo’ (as UDC members call themselves) gathered by the entrance of the Counting Centre at Tlhabologo Primary School without being bothered that it was drizzling. They were confident that their own Sekete would be the one to advocate for their developments. It was just before midnight that Sekete emerged victorious with 335 votes, BDP came second with Onkemetse Mothei’s 245 votes and BCP’s Peter Mogapi with 238 votes.

UDC president, Duma Boko who had addressed a rally while it rained the night before, marched across the mud to deliver Sekete to the hall where she had just been announced as the winner. Perhaps all this was to show how seriously they took the contest.

This could also be Boko testing the waters ahead of the 2024 General Election for the constituency he represented and lost to BDP’s Anna Mokgethi in 2019.

Entering the hall, Boko and Sekete were met by song. The pair were all smiles and danced with the crowd before speaking to the media. “We thank the voters for trusting the UDC and our candidate Sekete. We also thank all the activists who worked hard for this victory,” Boko said.

“She will go to the council determined to deliver the aspirations of the people. The result is a message about what happened and what will happen.

People are not happy with their quality of life and believe the solution can come from the UDC.” For her part, Sekete said she was very happy with the results.

“Bophirima people voted for me because they know me and trust that I can deliver in council. I will not disappoint them and intend to work with them in achieving our goals,” Sekete said.