BNF forges ahead
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday May 6, 2024 09:08
Takatokwane In a strategic move to appeal to younger voters, the BNF has nominated a youthful candidate Jacob Kelebeng for Takatokwane constituency.
His success in the primary elections, where he received a large number of votes, suggests that his candidacy resonates well with the party’s base. Kelebeng got 1, 678 votes, Lopang Sebutlenyane 754 while Jimmy Thukwi got only 182. The BNF once won this area in the 2004 General Election.
Takatokwane is one of the vast constituencies. In the 2014 General Election, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) which BNF is an affiliate, won the majority of wards in the area but lost the parliamentary seat. Opposition campaign centres mostly on the lack of developments in the area, which many had been complaining about.
They hope that the lack of developments may make them snatch the area from the BDP. That will mainly be determined by who the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) candidate will be.
LetlhakengHistorically, Letlhakeng constituency has been a traditional stronghold of the BNF, with the party enjoying a loyal support base. However, in recent years, the BDP has managed to wrestle control of the constituency away from the BNF, largely due to the voting patterns of areas outside Letlhakeng village, where the BDP has managed to establish a strong foothold. The BNF candidate, Domcaza Mokgwathi, was unopposed and only some of his wards had gone for party primary elections. Mokgwathi, who is well known in the area, is expected to bank on party popularity. His family and relatives are spread around the constituency, which is an advantage for him.
On the other hand, he may be disadvantaged by not being interactive with people, which some believe is due to his nature.
Gaborone SouthThis constituency is going to be the ultimate battleground ready for the taking as candidates contest. This is so because there is no party that could claim it to be its stronghold. The fact that both the ruling party and opposition parties, particularly the BNF have won the seat in the past, suggests that the constituency’s voters are not easily swayed by any single party. The BNF candidate, Nelson Ramaotwana, was unopposed for party primary elections. For him to run unopposed reflects their efforts to project an image of unity and to formulate a winning strategy.
His familiarity with the constituency, particularly with its economically disadvantaged areas, may provide him with an advantage in forging strong connections with the voters. Again, it will depend on whether he dumped the area after losing in the 2019 General Election or not.
Kgalagadi SouthFormer senior civil servant, Micus Chimbombi, lost 2019 General Election with a slim margin against the BDP candidate. He was voted by 6, 498 while BDP had 7, 873 votes. Many still believe that he is the rightful candidate who could win the area against the BDP. He is well-known in the area and knows its dynamics very well. Even after losing the 2019 General Election, Chimbombi never gave up but continued to be more visible and has been preparing for this year’s polls, knowing fully well that all the candidates that he will face have plans to win, as well.
Moshupa-ManyanaMany BNF supporters have less interest in this area to contest since President Mokgweetsi Masisi comes from it. It is dominated by the BDP and therefore, some believe that the area cannot be won easily hence the loss of interest. The BNF candidate, Moses Loeto, was unopposed in the primaries. Though he is known in the area, it will be difficult for him to make it in the area as Masisi hails from their and the area has developments the residents of other areas wish for. Historically, Moshupa is a BDP stronghold with the BNF having a slim chance winning here.
Maun EastRoyal Lekabe was also unopposed during the BNF primary elections. Unlike the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), the BNF is not that strong in the area and it is yet to be seen if he would be able to make impactful moves. Lekabe is well known as a trade unionist. However, one cannot rule him out as anything is possible in an election depending on how one has campaigned. He is known in the area and some of his party members believe he could win it.
Maun NorthIt is a new constituency in Maun. Kebareeditse Ntsogotho was also not challenged in the BNF primaries. This is one of the dicey constituencies in which all parties want a credible candidate. It will be highly contested in the upcoming polls.
The BNF is using the UDC symbol which has become well known, but it was making inroads in the Maun areas because the BCP had pulled out of the coaiition last year. Ntsogotho, who is well-known in that area, might face a challenge of convincing residents to vote for his party. However, many believe that he is a hard worker. He has also served in different community committees, which could work for him.
Goodhope-MmathetheThis constituency is up for grabs by any of the candidates fancying their chances at the polls. Both the BDP and the BNF are strong in this area. Gaone Seleka of the BNF was unopposed in the party’s primary election. The BNF won it in the 2014 General Election while the BDP won it in 2019. The BNF has been preaching peace amongst members in the area and also campaigning vigorously to win it again. The candidate is a well-known member of the party.
Boteti WestA party operative, Sam Digwa, will be contesting for the party in the October polls. Digwa has been very strong in the area and many wonder if he had worked as hard as he did previously in the 2019 polls. In the 2019 General Election, although he had lost, he had given his opponent great competition as he got 6 713 votes while the winner in Vice President Slumber Tsogwane had garnered 7, 006 votes.
In the primaries, Digwa won 1 129 votes against Thomas Kgethenyane with 796 and Oreagetse Machilidza who got 434 votes.
TonotaThe party had gone for its primary elections to select its candidate and Gaefele Sedombo won the primaries via 831 votes against competitor, Dr Marape Marape who got 702 votes. The BNF wants to retain the constituency as they had won it in the 2019 General Election through Pono Moatlhodi who later defected to the ruling party. Sedombo is a popular BNF candidate who is well-known in the party and the village. Many believe that he does stand a chance to win.
MmadinareTrade unionist-cum politician Ketlhalefile Motshegwa has been cleared to try his luck in his home constituency ahead of the 2024 General Election. He was previously requested to hand the constituency to a coalition partner, the Botswana Patrioric Front (BPF) but when the shaky political arrangement crumbled, Motshegwa was given a new lease of life. He is not new to the UDC politics and it may be now or never for him.
Molepolole NorthArafat Khan faces Moremi Gabanagae and the party primaries could not be concluded last month. The expectation is that the concluding primaries for two wards out of 11 will be on May, 11, 2024. Khan has already won nine out of 11 wards to determine the winner who will face the winner of the BDP primaries in a crowded race. It will take a miracle for Gabanagae to post a winner through the remaining wards.
LobatseThe primaries are scheduled for May 11 in which James Mathokgwane, Kamal Jacob and another candidate will battle it out in primaries that are expected to be a two-horse race between Mathokgwane and Jacob.
TlokwengPhenyo Segokgo and Masego Segokgo are cousins who and another candidate, are scheduled to battle it out for the UDC ticket. This will not be an easy one. The primaries have all the ingredients of a thriller.
Meanwhile, other constituencies for the BNF have not gone for primary elections and they are expected to be held in the coming weeks.