IT’S ON - THE BCP ELECTIVE CONFERENCE
Botswana Congress Party’s long-awaited 12th Elective Conference will finally be held this weekend.
The conference was supposed to have been held last year but, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was postponed. The event, which will be held virtually, starts on Saturday with each constituency having its own polling station, Gaborone being the main centre. Although Member of Parliament for Nkange, Dr Never Tshabang, had earlier shown interest in contesting for the Secretary General position, he has since withdrawn from the race. Other notable absentees are that of the party’s Information and
Publicity Secretary, Dithapelo Keorapetse, and Party Treasurer, Dennis Alexander. The party’s Vice President, Kesitegile Gobotswang, told this publication, too, that he was stepping down. The Voice staffer, DANIEL CHIDA, takes you through some of the candidates. About 48 constituencies out of the 57 have registered for the conference with 1 564 delegates expected to take part.
Party President - Dumelang Saleshando
The Leader of Opposition will not be challenged again for the presidency seat, a position he has occupied for more than a decade now. He took the baton from his father, Gilson Saleshando, in 2010 and has been at the helm since then.
Vice President - Daisy Bathusi
The former Women’s League President has raised her hand for the VP seat and is leading the Bathusi-ba-ga-dums faction, which comprises the likes of Stephen Makhura, Moncho Moncho and Prof. Mpho Pheko.
Taolo Lucas
The Bobonong legislator has served before as the party’s Secretary General and Publicity Secretary and will be banking on the quality he displayed during parliamentary debates to win voters.
Chairperson - Stephen Makhura
The Molotwane ward councillor is former Director of Elections and came on board after the National Executive Committee ordered for fresh nominations in the Kgatleng East Constituency. Makhura is one of the founders of the lime movement.
Samuel Rantuana
The former Member of Parliament for Ramotswa is serving as National Organising Secretary - South of Dibete region.
Secretary General - Goretetse Kekgonegile
The MP for Maun East is now looking to make a mark in the party’s structures, having won the past elections.
Moncho Moncho
Moncho is campaigning under Bathusi-ba-ga-dums faction and has been a respected member of the party despite spending most of his time abroad.
Morwadi Morwadi
Morwadi is a former executive secretary at party office and the only little-known of the three.
Deputy Secretary General - Tebogo Molefe
She is the current Women’s Wing Chairperson and also a former Youth Wing President, who was roped in after Tumiso Rakgare’s defection to the ruling party. She served in almost all party structures since joining the party in 2003.
Other notable candidates are: Refiloe Aphiri for Deputy SG
Treasurer
Oral Mosedame Samuel Mphoyakgosi
Information and Publicity Mpho Pheko - unopposed