Key candidates beef up lobby lists

As the race for key positions heats up ahead of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) elective congress in Tsabong over the weekend, key candidates have roped in some of the big guns as additional members to attract votes from delegates.

As such, the candidates have brought in former members of the BDP central committee, former MPs and serving members who are set to change the tide just in time for the main action tomorrow.

Some of the additional members on the lobby lists are said to be key and influential with others already bringing votes from their loyal delegates.

Having additional members who can sway votes to their camps is said to have been the key criteria when the main candidates chose members under their lobby lists ticket. Apart from being a member of the central committee, additional members’ role in the BDP is to take care of both regions and constituencies.

In an interview, BDP spokesperson, Kagelelo Kentse explained: “The additional members are assigned to take care of regions and constituencies.

The BDP has 14 regions and is taken care of by the deputy secretary-general, deputy treasurer and 10 additional members. Five are chosen by members during the elective congress while another five are chosen by party President Mokgweetsi Masisi as his prerogative.”

In the new set up, there are five additional members from the Vice President Slumber

Tsogwane’s lobby list comprising former MP Ngaka Ngaka, Cabinet Minister and MP Machana Shamukuni, MP Oabile Regoeng, Angelinah Sengalo and Neo Kealotswe.

Tsogwane’s challenger, former MP and former Cabinet minister Nonofo Molefhi’s team include: Bridget Mavuma, Tekolo Gosego, Julia Miranda, Keapoletswe Keapoletswe and Falaki Mononi. Meanwhile, Mmegi further looks at individual additional members’ credentials.

Tsogwane’s team Ngaka:

He is the former MP for Letlhakeng-Takatokwane. The former Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology and also a former Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs. He is still an active member of the BDP after losing party primary elections in 2018 to the current area MP Tshoganetso Leuwe.

Shamukuni:

He served in the BDP youth wing, was councillor and is currently MP and Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology.

He is also former Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, the Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development and now the Minister of Justice.

He is the MP for

Chobe constituency.

Regoeng:

He is an MP for Molepolole North constituency. Regoeng has served as a board member of the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and held position of deputy chairperson and also held several senior management and executive positions at National Development Bank (NDB) and Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).

Sengalo:

She served in different party structures. She also served as councillor and nominated councillor. She was once the BDP Women’s Wing chairperson and was defeated in 2013 by Caroline Lesang. In 2009, she was the Francistown deputy mayor.

Kealotswe:

She is the former member of the BDP central committee and served on two occasions. Kealotswe also once served in the BDP Women’s Wing. She is a former councillor in Serowe and now is an active member of the party.

Molefhi’s team Mononi:

He is an active member of the BDP and also a councillor at Goodhope/Mabule.

Gosego:

A branch secretary for the Sefhare/ Ramokgonami and also a former councillor.

Mavuma:

She is a former BDP Women’s Wing deputy secretary-general and also an active member of the party.

Miranda:

She is a sitting councillor in Mahalapye and an active member of the party.

Keapoletswe:

He is a former councillor and also an active member of the party.