BNF anxious over umbrella symbol

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Thursday July 18, 2013 00:00

 

At the just ended BNF elective congress, the anxious membership resolved that the UDC should move fast in registering the disks with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) so as to kick-start preparations for next year's general elections.Spokesperson for the BNF and UDC - Moeti Mohwasa - said in an interview that BNF members have called on the UDC to start the marketing and branding of the party so that the electorate get to appreciate what the umbrella partners stands for.

The elective congress did not usher in many surprises with most former central committee members retaining their seats.One of the mostly contested positions was that of vice president as Duma Boko stood unopposed for the BNF presidency. Former Botswana Congress Party president Otlaadisa Koosaletse and BNF stalwart Elmon Tafa suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Same Bathobakae who retained her seat.It was Koosaletse who suffered most by only managing 76 votes out of a possible 621. Tafa garnered 178 votes, which left Bathobakae a runaway winner with 362 votes.

Kanye South Member of Parliament Abram Kesupile also retained his seat as the BNF national chairperson trouncing Councillor Mogalakwe Mogalakwe and Sekgopi Bogatsu. Kesupile left his competitors with over 200 votes as he garnered 425 votes to Bogatsu's 104 and Mogalakwe's 80 votes.Shampoo Shadikong shrugged off a challenge  for the position of deputy secretary-general from Bashi Sengwaketse and Geoffrey Wadikgomo.Shadikong got 427 votes while Sengwaketse and Wadikgomo trailed behind her with 160 and 24 votes respectively. His boss Ferdinand Kgosikoma stood firm against Kgakgamatso Kebiditswe with 359 votes to 253.

Mohwasa also retained his position, defeating Benjamin Kelepang for the Publicity and Information position.In the run-up to elections, it was widely reported that Mohwasa might not defend his seat. Others who made it to the central committee are Aubrey Lesaso as Treasurer. Ncojane Councillor Motsamai Motsamai, Sam Digwa, Tapoloso Mosika, Osimile Fish, Kwenantle Gaseitswe and Motshwariemang Kesiilwe stood unopposed to complete the central committee members.The next elective congress for the BNF will be in three years' time.