BDP ELECTIVE CONGRESS COUNTDOWN: WHO IS TAKING IT?
THE stage is set for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’S 39th elective congress slated for this weekend.
The three-day affair, which will be held under the theme “Unity and Consolidation”, has already been marred by controversy before it even kicks off. Among the notable issues that have dominated the preparations are reports of intimidation and harassment by Nonofo Molefhi’s camp. Molefhi will go up against the Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane, for the chairmanship of the ruling party.
Although BDP organisational culture has been such that the president endorses his own faction or lobby list, President Mokgweetsi Masisi decided to break ranks and throw Tsogwane to the wolves, choosing rather to not openly endorse any of the candidates.
The Voice Reporter, DANIEL CHIDA, looks at candidates and their chances of winning elections.
CHAIRMANSHIP Slumber Tsogwane vs Nonofo Molefhi
Although majority of the delegates to the BDP congress are officially pro-vp Slumber Tsogwane, there are allegations that many could not declare their true allegiance at the constituency elections for fear of victimisation
According to sources close to the elections, Molefhi’s supporters are laying low because they do not want to be seen to be backing a dark horse, choosing instead to pull a surprise in Tsabong.
Tipped to be the next president because of BDP’S automatic succession plan, if Tsogwane loses the elections, his dreams would be dashed and that would leave President Masisi with an option to give Molefhi a winnable constituency in preparation for the VP seat, which is highly unlikely, or give the vice presidency to Minister of Finance and Chairperson of the BDP Women’s Wing, Peggy Serame.
Apparently, although he goes into the race as an underdog, Molefhi stands an equal chance of taking the chairmanship because he commands a lot of respect within the BDP. He might have thrown his name in the hat late, but he hit the ground running and, in the past few weeks, worked extremely hard touring the country and doing media interviews.
VERDICT: 50/50
SECRETARY GENERAL Kavis Kario vs Shaw Kgathi
Kario, a former Member of Parliament for Selibe-phikwe West, has not been active in politics for sometime while Kgathi has the advantage of the incumbency as the Deputy Secretary General. However, although Kgathi is the party’s DSG, his powers seem to have been clipped as he has been openly sidelined lately with an example of that being his recent ejection from a party meeting in Francistown last month. Kgathi no longer has a support base in the party. He is one of the unwanted candidates, maybe his time has passed. He doesn’t stand a chance.
VERDICT: Kario
DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL Lemogang Kwape vs Unity Dow
This will be a very close race between the two. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kwape, will bank on his position as a minister to get sympathy from voters while on the other side Dow may pull a surprise win because of the gender card and sympathy vote. She is a vocal woman who surprised many by resigning from her cabinet position.
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE Thabo Autlwetse
The north west region’s vice chairman’s contest in this race will not affect the results that much and if there is one person who is likely to gain from it, it is Dow.
VERDICT: Dow
DEPUTY TREASURER Jagdish Shah vs Tebelelo Seretse
Shah will win this one because of his proximity to Satar Dada and how the tag team as Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer has been delivering on their mandate to fundraise for the BDP. Although she delivered the 2019 elections as campaign chairperson, Seretse was never appreciated. Some pundits believe she has served her time.
VERDICT: Shah
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS Team Molefhi
• Bridget Thato Mavuma
• Tekolo Gosego
• Julia Miranda
• Falaki Mononi
Team Tsogwane
• Ngaka Ngaka
• Neo Kealotswe
• Oabile Regoeng
• Angelinah Sengalo
• Machana Shamukuni