28 Aug 2022

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane has retained the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairmanship position he has held since 2018.

 He emerged victorious during the party’s 39th national elective congress held in Tsabong over the weekend polling 806 votes against his opponent, former cabinet minister Mr Nonofo Molefhi’s 218. 

 All candidates on Mr Tsogwane’s lobby list also registered convincing victories against their opponents.

 Mr Kavis Kario won the secretary general position by 750 votes beating Mr Shaw Kgathi who got 225 votes while the deputy secretary general position went to Dr Lemogang Kwape with 739 votes against Dr Unity Dow’s 123. 

BDP’s long-time treasurer Mr Satar Dada was unopposed and retains his position.

Ms Tebelelo Seretse was up against Mr Jagdish Shah for the deputy treasurer position and the latter emerged victorious with 618 votes against the former’s 90. 

Five additional member positions were won by Mr Ngaka Ngaka with 632 votes, Mr Oabile Regoeng 616, Ms Neo Kealotswe 606, Mr Machana Shamukuni 604 and Ms Angelina Sengalo by 533 votes.

  Welcoming the new central committee, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi applauded all those who stood for elections saying the party enabled participation of all members. 

 “The BDP remains as transparent as the 1962 one,” he said adding that all members were equal.

Dr Masisi said the party would continue to work tirelessly to combat social ills such as crime, poverty, diseases and prejudice.

The President assured BDP members of victory in the 2024 general elections and urged them to support the central committee to ensure it successfully delivered on its mandate.

For his part, Mr Tsogwane assured  Dr Masisi that his central committee would continue to be truthful and accountable to the party.

“We are not going to do different things but we are going to do things differently,” he said.

The vice president said the committee would work hard to prepare for the next general elections including recruiting members to the party. 

“We would also look into the issue of those who want to rejoin the party,” Mr Tsogwane said.

He appealed to members to work together towards strengthening the party. 

“Let us join hands and work for our party,” he said.

The congress was held under the theme: Unity and Consolidation. ENDS