This is the constituency that had eluded the incumbent legislator, Taolo Lucas since 1998 and he finally managed to win it under the UDC ticket in the 2019 general elections.
Lucas won the constituency under the UDC but it was not a surprising scene for BCP colours to be seen in Bobirwa considering the current squabble between the coalition and partner, Botswana National Front (BNF).
BCP has always maintained that the BNF has centralised UDC and as BCP, the party has been a mere spectator who has no access to anything UDC, including the coalition symbols.
The BCP has cried about poor governance issues in the UDC, something that was not even addressed in the Palapye meeting a week ago. The BCP even went ahead to contest the Bophirima ward in the Gaborone Bonnington South outside UDC colours and lost to the UDC. The same issues that got BCP to contest in Bophirima under its name, colours, and symbol, remain unresolved at the UDC with the latter insisting the BCP apologise for its recent public statements.
Speaking at the victory celebration BCP president, Dumelang Saleshando said he was happy when Lucas finally won the Bobirwa constituency in 2019.
“My heart is white. Many of you know how many times I have come to Bobirwa to ask for a vote. Today I want to thank them for voting for us. We are also here in Bobirwa to show you that shortcuts are not necessary. You have to work hard to be successful,” he said.
He said the same way BCP won the council and Parliamentary seats in Bobirwa, one day they will ascend into the government’s top seat. He said Lucas and his fellow councillors should continue and advocate for Batswana.
For his part BCP Youth League president, Tlhabologo Furniture lauded Lucas as a patient man who has contested the Bobirwa Parliamentary seat for many years without despair.
“If it were others they would have long left. Botswana Democratic Party MPs came and went but Lucas stayed in Bobirwa,” he said.
Furniture said it is difficult to find a politician like Lucas these days because modern politicians are after riches. Furniture added that everyone should adopt the same thing in life and have Lucas’ persistence.
“In life, you have to be patient and God will finally answer your prayers at the right time. That is what happened with Lucas,” he said.
