Maele to contest under UDC

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday June 11, 2024 12:29

Prince Maele, the former minister of Land Management Water and Sanitation, is confident he will return to Parliament this year, this time as an Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Member of Parliament (MP).

He told The Monitor on Saturday that nothing will deter him from becoming an MP. “I have built strong connections in the area and understand the political landscape well. As an independent candidate, I garnered substantial support and with the UDC, victory will be even easier,” he said. “My dedication to hard work, coupled with ongoing community engagement during my time away from office has further solidified my position.” In the 2019 General Election, Maele received 5,027 votes as an independent candidate but lost to the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) which won by 6,166 votes, with the UDC getting 2,435.

He expressed confidence that his previous success as an independent runner that secured high votes gave a strong indicator of his potential victory, this time around with the support of the UDC. The UDC aspirant candidate reiterated the ongoing confidence people of his constituency have in him, highlighting their persistent concerns about the lack of development in the area. He noted a shift in the strength of the BDP, indicating it's not as formidable as it once was. Maele pointed out several factors contributing to the decline in the BDP's popularity, including his treatment by the party. While he prefers not to dwell on past grievances, he highlighted the ruling party's failure to generate employment opportunities for Batswana as a significant factor. He also stressed the high unemployment rate in his constituency, particularly amongst educated youth.

Additionally, he criticised the incumbent BDP MP, Setlhabelo Modukanele, for failing to fulfil promises made to the constituents. Maele attributed his loss of influence in the area to Modukanele's failure to deliver on promises, stating that he lacks the close rapport with constituents that he (Maele) has cultivated. He emphasised the importance of relatability, noting that constituents desire a representative they can connect with. Maele was expelled from the BDP in 2019 after his remarks against President Mokgweetsi Masisi.