Non-aligned BOMASE did not snub Masisi says Chairman
Onalenna Kelebeile | Wednesday May 27, 2015 16:31
BOMASE region chairman Oabile Power Moupi said during an interview that they had made a decision that they would not be seen to be backing any particular candidate as they cherished their friendship with all democrats and would not want to lose friends after the congress.
He said this was one of the reasons they could not attend a meeting that was addressed by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Sunday in Selebi-Phikwe.
“We had Masisi in the region yesterday, we have had Ramadeluka Seretse and Tebelelo Seretse previously who conducted their campaigns.
They just came to address party diehards who are delegates by virtue of their positions like councillors, MPs, branch committees, chairman and secretary of the regional committee, women’s wing members as well as members of the national executive committee,” he added. In fact, said Moupi, the regional committee was not invited to the meeting that Masisi addressed, as such invitation would have been routed through the secretary.
He however said he received a telephone call informing him about the meeting, but could not attend because of ill-health, but more importantly because he should not be seen to be aligning to any candidate.
“Had we been invited as a regional committee, we would have gone to just listen without participating in the discussions… after all at the end of the day we are fellow party members,” he added.
Moupi praised his committee for the fact that though they had their individual favourite candidates, they kept that to themselves and worked as a team to prepare for the party congress.
He added that preparations were well underway with the region’s estimated budget for the congress standing at P300,000.
He said in an effort to meet the party half way, each MP was expected to contribute P2,000 while each of the 31 councillors in the region would contribute P1,000.
“Some have already paid their contributions. We have budgeted for 35 cattle and already received pledges of 10 cattle from party members,” he added.
He added that Mmadinare Senior Secondary School had been secured as the venue and four primary schools would provide accommodation for delegates.
The regional committee has also booked 50 rooms from Bosele Hotel, Syringa Lodge, Phokoje Bush Lodge for fraternal guests and party executives.
Guest houses have also been reserved for delegates who would like to book.
“We are ready for the occasion,” he declared. BOMASE’s declaration of its non-aligned stance follows recent criticism against the party’s Francistown and Central regions by other contestants for the position of chairperson, amid claims the regions were biased as they allowed themselves to be used in Vice President Masisi’s campaign meetings.