Mochotlhi gets unexpected day in the sun

The newly elected Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) National Executive Committee (NYEC) chairperson, Collen Mochotlhi who joined the race to contest in one day says he thanks party members for believing in him.

Mochotlhi said the members asked him to stand after the person they were supporting in the youth wing contest, Otsile Machola popularly called ‘Chencha Magiya’, was disqualified due to the age limit that was set between 16 and 35. Mochotlhi is 33-years-old. He garnered 203 votes over Tina Tameti’s 175.

This came after BDP electoral board’s Peter Siele issued a clarification statement on the youth age limit two days before the elective congress in Bobonong. That alone affected two members who had been campaigning for the chairperson seat as they were forced to drop out of the race at the last minute and the two included Machola and Tony Sebabi. Both Machola and Sebabi are going 36 years this year.

“The reason why it was easy for youth members to choose me is that I supported Machola and also other votes were sympathy ones from members who felt that it was unfair to disqualify someone when he/she has not yet turned 36.

I never thought I could win since I joined the race in a day. My political record also helped me since I once served in this committee,” Mochotlhi said. He added that upon assuming office, he will be advocating for policies that could help to change the lives of youth and how some could be improved. The other thing that Mochotlhi believes is the key thing now, is for the youth committee to start to help President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is the party president, build his campaigns ahead of the 2024 general election. Mochotlhi, who is also a councillor for Tlokweng, said he will be able to balance his work effectively with the duty he has been voted for since he is not campaigning in the general elections.

“I believe I can deliver effectively since I will not be contesting during party primary elections and also in the general election,” he said.

Mochotlhi was once suspended in the party for two months by President Masisi for “behaving in a grossly disorderly and unruly manner that might put the party name into disrepute contrary to the general code of conduct and also contemptuous behaviour” toward the party leadership and other members. He, however, was acquitted by the disciplinary hearing committee after listening to the matter.