Peggy Serame speaks: In the eye of the storm, I’m a fighter
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday October 8, 2024 09:33
Dressed in a red and white tracksuit coupled with red sneakers, Serame's petite frame can be mistaken for weakness but she tells our team she is a fighter that can face any storm.
“This has been a long time coming,” she admits, further adding that she has had family and friends urge her to speak up.
“So much has been said about me. I think it’s time I told my side of the story, the best way I can.”
Batswana may see a well-connected supremo who has the backing of the President. However she insists she’s the same “simple Peggy” who juggles her public role with church on Sundays, shopping trips as well as motherly and daughter duties. Behind the woman who has dominated headlines, is someone who began her political journey began as a civil servant, rising through the ranks to become Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, a ministry she would later lead as Minister.
Serame’s shift from public service to politics has been marked by controversy, most notably the persistent rumours of her connection to Masisi.
“I am not related to the first family,” she says, the frustration clear in her voice.
“I rose through the public service like anyone else. No one asked who I was related to then. But now, suddenly, people are questioning why I am here. It’s as if they believe I don’t deserve this.”
Asked if she doesn’t regret leaving the civil service for politics she answers: “No at all. I have grown as a person. In fact I used to joke around that I would never join politics but then here I am. It’s not all fun but its ok.”
Her political journey took a dramatic turn when she chose to contest for the Goodhope/Mmathethe constituency. It wasn’t an easy decision. She admits she could have run in Gaborone North, where she resides, but she says her heart was in the village where she grew up.
“I felt I could relate better with where I come from.
“It was not an easy decision because at the time there were more names than just my colleague in Cabinet, but yes having two ministers competing for a constituency was never going to be easy.”
Running for office in her home constituency meant facing off against a formidable rival, her Cabinet colleague and now former Minister of Health, Edwin Dikoloti.
Serame says when she joined politics as a Specially Elected Member of Parliament back in 2019, it took her some time to decide on whether she would contest for elections. At the time the MP for Goodhope/Mabule (Eric Molale) had announced he would not contest for elections.
“I spoke to Rre Molale personally, just to re affirm that he would not contest and he assured me he would not.
“Before the delimitation exercise, as a constituency we have always felt that something needed to be done because it was too big,” she said.
The rivalry between Serame and Dikoloti stoked divisions within the BDP and by extension the constituency, with allegations of favouritism further complicating matters.
“I wouldn’t call it favouritism,” Serame explains. “In fact I would explain it as many democrats wanted me and urged me to continue because we need more women in leadership roles.
“As a party we struggled to find women candidates.
“We have only six this time around, and I believe that is what people were responding to, not favouritism.”
Asked to clarify her comment, Serame elaborated: “As a party we try to promote participation of women in politics. It’s not only me, even in Palapye, (Kungo Mabogo) the party took a decision that she will be our candidate.
“So where I am standing, I am not aware of any favouritism because it has happened even in other constituencies where the party picked another candidate or even approached someone who was not even contesting at all.”
How is the relationship between the two former Cabinet colleagues?
“We are ok. You know people used to say we are not talking to each other but that is not correct. We even sat next to each other in Parliament. We respect each other, we speak to one another when we need to. Socially we are not friends, but we are ok.”
Dikoloti recently left and or was suspended from the BDP. Will the backlash not hurt her campaign?
“Yes, Dikoloti has left and it is going to affect us because some people he left with are BDP members and there will be some sympathy votes, but I am still confident of a win.
“I know that BDP is still strong, and some BDP members have the best interests of the party at heart.
“We will continue to sell what the BDP is and what it will continue to do.”
On allegations of rigging in the primaries that she had initially lost before appealing against Dikoloti, Serame could only say: “We felt some of the people who voted in our constituency were not necessarily from our constituency.”
On a personal front, Serame is not bothered about rumours around her but she is worried for her family.
“The propaganda has been the hardest part. It’s not just me who gets hurt; my family has been deeply affected.
“I’ve even had to take some of them for counselling because of all the lies and speculation. They have nothing to do with politics, yet they bear the brunt of it.”
But if the political battlefield has shown anything, it is that Serame is not one to back down from a fight.
“I think people underestimated me. They thought I was too soft, too calm. But I’m a fighter. I will stand up for myself, no matter what. Being a fighter doesn’t mean being loud or disrespectful. But yes, I will show up for any fight.”
What about the rumours of her being tipped and positioned to be the next Vice President? The speculation has been rife in political spaces and Serame laughs before responding.
“So they say. I read it in the papers, just like you.”
On her ambitions of being President, her expression says it all.
“If the opportunity comes, I will take it. Why not?”
As our interview draws to a close, Serame reflects on her journey and the legacy she hopes to leave behind, particularly for women in politics.
“I hope my standing up to say ‘things are not done right and I deserve another opportunity’ will motivate other women.
“I had every right to speak up because other people said to me, I should just let it go.
“It is not always easy for women in politics, but we should speak up.
“I will not always get it right, but I live my life to the best of my ability.
“I cannot satisfy everyone, and I can’t make everyone happy.”