BPF unveils primaries candidates
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday May 13, 2024 04:37
In the high-stakes game of politics, every moment counts, and the BPF must act swiftly to capitalise on the limited time it has to build support and momentum. Out of 61, the BPF which quit the opposition coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is contesting in only 38 constituencies.
Jwaneng /Mabutsane: Mephato Reatile The BPF is not strong in this area and does not have strong structures. After the BPF’s decision to pull out from the coalition, this could be one of the setbacks of the party in this constituency. Reatile who is the BPF president might not come back to Parliament if he does not put more effort. The only parties that are strong include the Botswana National Front (BNF) and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Reatile is the incumbent area MP who won the constituency under the BDP ticket in the 2019 General Election before he defected to BPF. He won the constituency under both the BDP and the BNF, It remains to be seen if he would made a treble by winning it under the BPF.
Francistown East: Kerapetse MuzilaThe chances of the BPF winning this area are slim because the BDP and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) are more popular in the area. The BPF vice president Muzila has thrown her hat into the ring. Muzila, who is a prophetess and founder of the Jehovah Potters Assembly, and she began her political career in September 2021. She has more work to do as her party is not well-established in the area. Muzila will need to have strong reasons to convince people to vote for her.
Serowe West: The current MP, Onalepelo Kedikilwe, will battle it out with Gaotilwe Omphile in the primary elections. Kedikilwe became an MP last June through a by-election following Tshekedi Khama’s (former area MP) disqualification from Parliament. Khama had missed various sittings. Kedikilwe will be looking towards fending off competition from Omphile whom he beat during last year’s primary election with a big margin. The duo is contesting in an area that has proven to be a BPF srtronghold.
Serowe North: Baratiwa MathootheWith no challenger in the primaries, Mathoothe’s chances of returning to Parliament are very high because this has become a stronghold of the BPF since wrestling it from the BDP in 2019 polls. Mathoothe is a hard worker in the area and has been a councillor for many years before becoming an MP in 2019. He will be seeking his second term and has been vocal about his area issues.
Tswapong South:This is one of the highly contested areas because both Shadrack BaaitsSegaetsho Garekwe will compete in the party primaries. Baaitse and Garekwe are well-known within the party cycles. However, Garekwe has an upper hand over Baaitse. Garekwe has more time to campaign and canvass the ground. Baaitse has however been touted as one of the aspirants who prefer to contest under the UDC than the BPF. There might be chanhes in potential candidates in this area.
Serowe South:
A trio will battle it out for party primaries and that include the current MP Leepetswe Lesedi, Dr Malefho Kolaatamo and Prince Moitoi. The trio has had ample time to interact with the constituents and any of the best prepared candidates will lift the party ticket.
Lentsweletau/Lephephe: Judith Gobodiwang and Phagenyane Phage will contest for the party primaries. Both contestants need no introduction as they are also well known in the area as well as in the party generally. The clash for the party ticket wil be an interesting affair.
Nata/Gweta: The party secretary-general, Lawrence Ookeditse, and councillor Thatayaone Kehitile will battle it out in the primaries for the party ticket. Ookeditse contested in the 2019 General Election and lost to BDP’s candidate.
He has been openly campaigning even before the primary election vetting process started just like Kehitile who has been hanguing the area testing his strength. Kehitile, was previously barred from participating in the primaries,but the BPF later changed its stance, opening the door for all contenders in the Nata/Gweta constituency parliamentary primaries. Kehitile is a Dukwi councillor recruited from the BDP after the 2019 General Election.
Shashe West:Jeremiah Frenzel is an unopposed candidate in the area. The BPF is not well known compared to other parties, especially the BDP and BCP. The BPF does not have structures and it will be tested if the party formed on the eve of the 2019 General Election could penetrate the area or not. The party will have to demonstrate its potential of winning the polls.
Boteti East: The BPF in this area will capitalise on former president Ian Khama’s sympathisers. Candidate Lebonaamang Mokalake is a well-known elderly person in the area and is known in the political cycle. As for Boteti East, the political parties that are well-known in the area including both camps of the BNF and BDP. The BPF has to establish structures that could help it to campaign or organise its activities.
Mahalapye West: Agobakwe Magapa Magapa is unopposed, therefore, he would not go for primary elections. The BPF is banking on former president Ian Khama’s support. This is one of the areas, that the BPF believes it has support regardless of its numbers.
Magapa represented the BPF in the last election but lost to David Tshere of the UDC. However, if the Bill that bars former presidents from participating in active politics could be passed into a law during a Special Parliament sitting on May 20, 2024, then another history might be written about the BPF. Without Khama’s support, then the BPF would not have its chief campaigner.
Chobe: Tshimowanza Rakau Rakau is unopposed. Just like other areas where the party is mostly not well known, its chances of winning are slim. The party has to work hard in order to make a mark in the area. The parties that had good numbers statistically include BDP and BCP. It requires a lot of work for the party to make impact.
Okavango: Tshenolo KadondaKadonda is also unopposed and the strength of the BPF is yet to be tested in Okavango as it will be its first time to try its luck in that area. In Okavango, the BPF will also rely on the Khama magic to gain numbers. It is clear that the party does not have a strong support base or structures in that area. Parties that usually dominate the Okavango areas include the BCP and the BDP. Even if it contests, the BPF is a doubtful contender.
Takatokwane:Witness Keboatlholetswe is also unopposed and the party does not have structures to help them to win the area. The BPF candidate is not that strong as an individual. The parties that have more footprints in the area include BNF and BDP. So far, the chances of the BPF winning elections in this area are slim. It will take a lot of hard work for the party to have impact here.
Molepolole NorthThis is another test of the BPF in the southern side of the country. The BPF is popular in the Central part of the country compared to the southern part. Gaolathe Mosaba is also unopposed in the area. It is still difficult for them to penetrate the ground and sell the party to the residents. History has shown that the only strong parties are the BNF, BDP and to some extent the BCP.
Tswapong NorthThe battle lies between former area MP and Minister, Prince Maele, and former Permanent Secretary Carter Morupisi. Both men are strong on the ground and they stand a chance to win. However, Morupisi might be disadvantaged by his previous record and current court battles. The area is winnable for the BPF since Khama has influence here. The BPF has organised structures in the area and they are very active. The division and unity within the party in the area may also determine its strength in the area. There are reports however, suggesting the likelihood of Maele choosing to contest under the UDC colours.
Tonota: Losika KeatholetsweKeatholetswe is unopposed. Even though the BPF will be contesting for the first time in the area, it might make a surprise win. Tonota has many people who are sympathisers of the former president Khama. Keatholetswe‘s win will be also determined by whether he has the backing of some of his party members or not.
MmadinareThree people will battle it out and these are Jacob Mosimanyana, Loeto Porati and Eleanor Moseki. It will be BPF’s first time contesting in Mmadinare. Amongst the trio, whoever loses is expected to support the winner. Their unity is very important in the party.
ShoshongThe contest for the primaries will be between Tsogang Ramotsepane and Batsetswe Gontafetse. Both have been campaigning vigorously for party primary elections. Even if it would be its first time to contest in general polls, theBPF might win the area if they have Khama’s support since Shoshong is part of Gammangwato where he has massive influence. Whoever wins stands a chance to win the General Election.
To be continued next week.