19 Apr 2018

Of the three allegories of the parties contesting Mochudi East bye-election, which one will be closer to reality than the other?

Will the clergyman’s red jack lift him higher, the veteran unionist sweep the tables with his broom or the businessman’s royal blue umbrella shield him from the hailstorm of defeat.

Only the constituents will decide which symbol will best represent their interests when they put a against the one that resonates well with what they believe in.

Come tomorrow, Saturday! Its morning glimmers will usher in a beam of hope to both candidates and voters, while its evening rays will symbolise waning dreams of two of the three candidates battling for Mochudi East parliamentary seat.

Nonetheless, Sunday will be a new dawn for one of the trio.

The big question is, who? Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s Reverend Mpho Moruakgomo, Mr Moagi Molebatsi of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) or the independent candidate, Mr Japhta Radibe.

Rev. Moruakgomo is a renowned clergy currently at the helm of Botswana Association of Local Authorities and a nominated councillor with Kgatleng District Council,

In his campaign promises, addressing issues surrounding income-generating projects among the youth tops the list.

Owing to its (Kgatleng) proximity to the capital city Gaborone, the aspirant stresses the need to attract investors in areas such as manufacturing as he describes Ramodibe/Matebeleng a special economic zone.

“Looking at the needs of greater Gaborone area, there are untapped fields such as construction of accommodation facilities and office spaces that can immensely contribute to the income of the local populace.”

Given the already available opportunities through the natural environments within the area, Rev Moruakgomo says agro-ecotourism is also one area that can boost the livelihoods of Kgatleng inhabitants, more so that it is part of government’s national economic strategy.

Education is one area that has of late sparked national debate due to declining pass rates.

Given a chance to upgrade from council chambers to Parliament corridors, Rev Moruakgomo says he will work on improving the quality of education.

“How do we employ available resources for better result, is the learning environment conducive?” enquires Rev. Moruakgomo.

He continues explaining the importance of engaging parents in childrens’ learning, addressing drug use among students and giving  attention to issues surrounding teachers working conditions, more especially working hours as he believes teaching is a unique profession.

The Reverend, who in the 2014 general elections garnered 5 941 votes, losing the seat to Isaac Davids who got 6 824, promises to speed up social and community mobilisation to enhance community resilience, water expansion network, find a way to accelerate construction of a district primary hospital and building a better road network.

On the other hand, Mr Radibe is politically homeless, and therefore goes solo. He is a teacher by profession and left the pablic service having been a school head and Botswana Teachers Union president.

The veteran unionist lost during 2014 general elections with a meager 159 votes, fourth after Isaac Davids, Rev Moruakgomo and Botswana Congress Party’s Mr Isaac Mabiletsa, who had garnered 4 528 votes respectively.

Trying his luck for the second time, Mr Radibe decries a sharp decline in pass rates.

Therefore, topping his list is addressing challenges bedeviling the education sector. He emphasises the need for an educated nation because education is key in employment creation acceleration.

“Le fa o batla go itirela kgwebo epe fela e ka tswa e le ya shopo, agriculture kana pre-school, one needs to be equipped with skills and empowered with knowledge.

Batsadi ba a tlhaela go ema bana nokeng mo dithutong ka le bone ba tlhaela kitso ka botlhokwa jwa thuto,” he said.

Given the chance to represent Bakgatla, he says he will push government to empower the church and magosi in the quest to address moral values that have, with time, degenerated, resulting in soaring statistics of social ills in his area.

UDC representative, Mr Molebatsi, also a teacher by profession and an entrepreneur, says he will give priority to improving supply of potable water, which at the moment, he describes as a scarce resource in the Kgatleng area.

Kgatleng lies on the banks of Limpopo, Madikwe and Notwane rivers and Mr Molebatsi says empowering citizen to tap into agriculture-related businesses will boost the economy, adding that for betterment of lives, up grading of roads within the area remains crucial.

On education he said, “Government should start kindergartens that are fully equipped and run by qualified staff, le batho ba fiwe thuto ya production ba sa rutelwe white collar jobs.”

Kgatleng prides itself with dikhwaere, and for that reason Mr Molebatsi intends to take performing arts to a level where it serve as a source of income.

Tomorrow, 47 polling stations will open between 6:30am and 7pm.

About 20 356 electorate, who registered for the 2014 general elections are expected to cast their votes. The constituency fell vacant after Davids met his fate allegedly at the hands of his two herdsmen in January at Sorilatholo in the Kweneng District. Prior to his demise, Davids made it to Parliament under UDC seat, but later (August 2017) jumped ship to the ruling BDP. ENDS