Parties ready to submit candidates’ names
Bobonong by-election set for December 9, 2023, will be a test of strength for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP). As much as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has identified a candidate, the real battle is between the ruling BDP and the opposition BCP. Up until the UDC, which had BCP in its fold in the 2019 General Election, the Lepokole/ Borotsi ward was a BDP stronghold. The seat for the council ward became vacant after the former councillor Motseothata Mafoko resigned from active politics.
He was elected under the UDC ticket in the 2019 polls. The trio that will battle it out includes Boitumelo Nyambe of the UDC, Moalosi Afa of the BCP, and Letso Leshiba of the BDP. The BCP campaign manager for the ward Letsogile Koketso said they were very prepared for the by-election.
“We are ready for the election to happen anytime. Fortunately for us, the writ of election came shortly after our primary elections for the 2024 polls where he emerged as a winner. The party structures agreed that he represents the party in the by-election as well,” Koketso said.
He said there was absolutely no reason why they would lose the by-election.
Moreover, he said their candidate is well-known in the area, and that he is a renowned community builder who has worked very hard to uplift his community over the years. He revealed that the Lepokole and Borotsi communities knew him well before he even considered being active in politics and even contesting.
The BCP campaign manager said their candidate is a caregiver who helps underprivileged families, especially during the Christmas holidays by buying food and clothes for them. He claimed that the community has been yearning for their candidate leadership.
As for the BDP regional chairperson, Goitseone Phane said: “We are very confident that we are going to win this ward. It (ward) used to be our stronghold and the opposition won it because they were combined and by then people had their issues that I cannot talk about now. Our candidate is a pastor and well-respected man in this area.” He said some of the people who had crossed the floor to opposition parties after being misled by other people are slowly coming back which is also promising. He said some of the things that would make people vote for them are ongoing developments in Bobonong such as internal roads, and the improved water supply among other things. He said they are working on the ground to canvass for more votes.
As for the UDC campaign manager, Motswana Tlhako said despite the BCP having pulled out, the party remains strong.
“We are optimistic of winning. As a party, we have structures that include all affiliates of the UDC from cell, ward and constituency levels. Our structures are solid, so nothing stops us from retaining the ward. Don’t underestimate that the people leading this campaign are from the BCP and even the former councillor has defected to the UDC. Our candidate is also a credible and respected person in this area,” Tlhako said.
He said the reason why all parties are seriously campaigning and investing resources in this by-election is because whichever party wins, the mood of election in that area may swing in that direction come 2024 General Election. He said as the UDC, they are not leaving any stone unturned in this by-election.
He said they want the UDC to remain strong in the area hence they work so hard to win the ward.
UDC affiliates include Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) and two working partners, Alliance for Progressives (AP) and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).