Thutlwe replaces Boko while Motshegwa heads home to make way for Ndaba
The 2024 general election date is fast approaching and political parties are bracing themselves for what promises, by all accounts, to go down in history as one of the most highly contested elections.
While Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has since ditched the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), the coalition remains formidable with the arrival of Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and Alliance for Progressives (AP).
The BPF bring four Members of Parliament while AP bring one legislator to join forces with Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) in the Umbrella project which also comprises members who are not aligned to any party.
Majority of the independent members are former BCP members who remained loyal to UDC when the lime movement exited the coalition.
The immediate challenge threatening the unity within the umbrella however, lurks in the looming scramble for constituency allocations. Already the cracks of division are starting to show, with the dominant BNF making early moves to position some of its members in some of the targeted constituencies. The Voice staffer, DANIEL CHIDA looks at some of the BNF members vying for parliamentary positions.
Kagiso Thutlwe- Gaborone Bonnington North
The former Gaborone City Mayor has been on the sidelines for sometimes having lost Village Ward in Gaborone Central Constituency to Botswana Democratic Party in the past elections.
Thutlwe will be contesting at Gaborone Bonnington North, a constituency which is currently under, Annah Mokgethi of the BDP. Mokgethi snatched the area from UDC President, Duma Boko, in the last elections.
Ketlhalefile Motshegwa- Mmadinare
Having come third behind, Chris Greef of BDP with 4603, Ndaba Gaolathe of AP with 3461, Motshegwa has decided to move from Gaborone Bonnington South where he was voted by 2357 people and focus on his home village, Mmadinare.
The Secretary General of Botswana Land Boards Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAWHU) will not be contesting in the city as he makes way for Ndaba, the President of AP who has been given the constituency.
Motshegwa will be waiting to see who he will face from the BDP between the incumbent MP, Molebatsi Molebatsi and Special Elected MP, Kefentse Mzwinila.
Phenyo Segokgo- Tlokweng
The former South East District Council or Tlokweng Chairman as some call it will also be working his way back into active politics.
Segokgo tasted office once as Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) councillor under the UDC in 2014 before the party was embroiled in internal squabbles that have since rendered it almost non-existent.
When divisions rocked the BMD, the then Sefoke ward councillor remained in the party but later joined the faction that formed AP before he joined the BNF. The area is currently under Thulaganyo Segokgo of the BDP.
Arafat Khan- Molepololole North
The controversial politician from Borakalalo ward will now seek a parliamentary position at Molepolole North constituency which is under Oabile Regoeng of the BDP. Regoeng snatched the constituency from Mohammed Khan of the UDC who only got 4211 against Regoeng’s 11049.
Mpho Morolong and Tona Mooketsi- Kgatleng Central
A fierce battle is expected between the former Kgatleng District Council Chairman, Morolong and 2019 Parliamentary candidate, Mooketsi for the new constituency, Kgatleng Central. Mooketsi, a councillor for Mosanta ward was the UDC parliamentary candidate and he lost to Mmusi Kgafela of the BDP. Kgafela got a whopping 13 234 while Mooketsi managed only 5856. It will be interesting to see who will snatch the constituency between the two.
Kamal Jacobs and James Mathokgwane- Lobatse
Another interesting battle will be in Lobatse constituency between Jacobs and Mathokgwane. Already the two do not see eye to eye with Jacobs claiming infringement by the former MP for Goodhope/ Mabule.
Jacobs has made inroads in the area while Mathokgwane has of late been frequenting the area too, announcing his presence. In 2014, Mathokgwane was elected MP for Goodhope/Mabule but served only six months before resigning to pursue other opportunities.
Obakeng Matlou – Kgatleng East
A hardworker of note within the UDC, Matlou will throw his name for the second attempt, albeit unopposed this time around in Kgatleng East. In 2018, Matlou, a seasoned media, communications and advertising expert lost to Moagi Molebatsi during the party’s primary elections. The area is under the tutelage of Mabuse Pule of BDP.
