25 Nov 2021

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has expressed confidence of a good performance in the upcoming eleven council bye elections. 

Unveiling the party’s council candidates during a media conference in Gaborone on Wednesday, BDP chairperson Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the ruling party had been delivering on its 2019 manifesto and continued to work towards fulfilling its pledges. 

Mr Tsogwane, who is also the vice president, said the BDP  had through the manifesto promised Batswana a consultative government, transformation and an economy tilting towards being knowledge-based. 

“A constant that exists in development is transformation, which is why we speak of digitisation, innovation, research and development,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane said once agrarian countries such as Finland and South Korea now had strong technologically based economies achieved through research and innovation. 

He said if elected, the eleven candidates would sell the BDP manifesto and serve their communities.

Introducing the candidates, BDP secretary general Mr Mpho Balopi said seven were elected through the party primary election process dubbed Bulela Ditswe while the rest were chosen through consensus by their wards. 

Among those elected are Ms Sophiwah Tafila of Nkange North in the Nkange constituency, Mr Olebogile Dikomane of Motokwe/Tsetseng in Takatokwane, Mr Motsholathebe Oduetse of Tamasane in Mmadinare and Tumisang Batlwaetse of Tumasera in Sefhare-Ramokgonami. 

Others are Ms Boitumelo Seako of Lerolwane in Mmathethe-Molapowabojang, Mr Lentswe Mosanako of Moshupa East in Moshupa-Manyana, Mr Tebogo Ntshole of Boseja South in Mochudi East. 

Mr Dingalo Moremi of Metsimotlhabe in Gabane-Mmankgodi, Mr Tebogo Moacwi of Ga-Molopo in Goodhope-Mabule, Mr Rapula Maitewa from Lentsweletau East in Lentsweletau-Mmopane and Mr Chamme Kelebekae from Khwee in Boteti East are the consensus  candidates.

 The eleven council seats were rendered vacant by the deaths of incumbent councillors but could not be filled according to normal procedure due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Under normal circumstances, a bye election is called within three months of the seat becoming vacant but owing to the 18-month state of emergency regulations, some have been vacant for more than a year. 

Earlier this month, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Eric Molale issued election instruments for the eleven seats under Section 154 of the Electoral Act.

The bye elections are scheduled for December 18. 

During the media conference, the BDP also officially welcomed Mr Gogontle Same from the Alliance for Progressives (AP), who was a Tumasera council candidate in the 2019 general elections. ends