Trio eyes BDP Women’s Wing top seat
As the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Women’s Wing congress nears, names of aspiring office bearers have started rolling in. The BDP Women’s Wing elective congress will be held on June 17-19 in Kanye. Minister of Finance Peggy Serame, Gosego Mmolawa and Sethu Maano-Gabanakgosi have so far raised their hands to declare their interest in the seat at the helm of the women’s wing in what is expected to be a close contest.
Mmolawa believes that she is a capable candidate for the head position since she already has a place in a non-governmental organisation that deals with issues concerning women and the girl-child.
“As a way of empowering women, I have approached different companies in order to find ways of sponsoring ululation ‘mpululu majotia’ so that those who are good in it could make a living out of it. I will sign deals with different companies that want to assist with it. I am an activist also on gender-based violence issues and therefore I work with women daily which makes me understand issues affecting different women across the country. I do have conversations with women even on the radio show, Masa-a-sele. Therefore, I know how to approach women who deal with different matters or are facing serious issues,” Mmolawa told The Monitor.
Mmolawa said she also wants to ensure that she educates women on leadership since she believes that not enough women occupy leadership positions even in her party. In addition, Mmolawa says she has attended courses on political leadership and how one can position oneself and therefore she will share those ideas with women to build their confidence.
She said mental intelligence could help women so that they do not get derailed or be taken down by any person when they want to contest for any position in an organisation.
Mmolawa says she calls herself a woman, for women, by women.
Women’s Wing Chairperson Veronica Lesole, who is running as deputy chairperson on Serame’s campaign team, earlier said their candidate has proven that she is a capable leader and can work well with the party leadership. Lesole said that Serame is very vocal on different issues.
“She will ensure that our resolutions are taken into consideration. She will be representing us at Cabinet and the central committee, and therefore, it will be easy to convince some members on what we want as women.” For her part, Maano-Gabanakgosi confirmed that she is contesting but cannot share anything with the media since her campaign team is not allowed to do so.