29 Jun 2022

Councillor Motlhophi Leo will lead Botswana Democratic Party Kweneng West region for the next two years.

This comes after he was re-elected  during the region’s elective congress in Molepolole on Sunday .

The region comprises four branches being Molepolole North and South, Letlhakeng/Lephepe and Takatokwane constituencies.

Mr Leo, who is Loologa ward councillor,  was elected by 59 of the  117 delegates while his opponent, Mr Mokwaledi Mokwenaotsile garnered 56 votes.

Councillor Meshack Tshenyego of Mmantshwabisi is the new deputy chairman after defeating councillor Andrew Selwe of Magokotswane ward in Molepolole North constituency with 63 votes to 50 votes.

Other members of the six-man committee are Mr Kabelo Modisagaarekwe for secretary position after he sailed through unopposed and his vice, nominated councillor in the Letlhakeng/Lephepe constituency Mr Anderson Mathibe also glided to the seat also unopposed.

Borakalalo ward Councillor Mr Shabir Kablay retained the treasury position after defeating Mr Computer Semmee by 57 to 55 votes. Mr Commissioner Setammana won the deputy treasurer seat by 72 votes against his opponent, Mr Morapedi Tlhakodisele’s 39 votes.

Giving a word of encouragement to the newly elected committee, the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, who is also party chairman expressed concern over lack of participation by women in leadership positions within the party. He said women often  disempowered themselves, which  he said was evidenced by the way the new committee was elected as none of the women had expressed interest to participate although they formed majority of the delegates.

He challenged the congress to come up with progressive resolutions to have women participate in higher structures by way of nomination.

Prior to elections, chairman of Political Education and Elections Committee, Mr Alec Seametso challenged democrats to live up to the democratic ideals upon which the party was built.

He said structures should remind councillors and members of parliament that they were deployed by the party and as such they should put party interests and that of the electorates before their personal interests.

Member of the Central Committee for Kweneng West, Mr Oabile Regoeng assured the congress that party structures in the region were functioning well and would continue working hard to ensure that the party retained all the four constituencies in 2024.

In his acceptance speech Mr Leo appealed to democrats to unite ahead of the next general elections to ensure victory. 

However, he expressed concern about some members whom he said  dragged the name of the party and those of their opponents in the mud during primary elections campaign.

He urged members to desist from doing so as the party did not condone indiscipline. ENDS