Whilst official results are still pending verification by press time, early poll indications suggest a significant shift in the political landscape with the ruling party facing considerable setbacks. For the first time since Botswana gained independence, Gaborone is on the eve of being dominated by an opposition party in all constituencies.
The opposition coalition, UDC, led on all fronts with unprecedented numbers, patronages of the UDC party did not put on hold their celebrations until results were authenticated as they had invaded the city painting the city blue.
In the 2014 General Election, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) won four out of five constituencies in Gaborone while the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won one. In contrast, the BDP secured control of all five constituencies in 2019, whilst in 2009, the representation included a mix of Members of Parliament (MP) from different parties.
In all the Gaborone constituencies, Gaborone South, Gaborone Central, Gaborone Bonnington South, Gaborone Bonnington North, and Gaborone North, are full of UDC patrons in blue, thronging the streets of the capital.
From the early celebrations, a sea of blue swamped through the streets, with no other party colours in sight, as supporters sang with full voices, celebrating the prospect of a long-awaited regime change.
The saying ‘better the devil you know’ proved to not hold water this time around as the ruling Botswana Democratic Party has bit the dust with the party's parliamentary hopefuls losing out to the Duma Boko-led UDC.
At Gaborone Bonnington North, a constituency that was held by Annah Mokgethi, the first domino was to fall. She was the first one to bite the dust. Mokgethi, also a former Labour and Home Affairs minister lost out to UDC candidate Maipelo Mophuting.
Mophuting is a political newbie in Botswana politics, who has ousted a Cabinet member. The downfall of Mokgethi is linked to her remarks in Parliament about not treating motions of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and the wage bill as urgent.
Other voices in the political scene attribute Mokgethi's and other Gaborone BDP aspirants' downfall to the fallout between Masisi and former president Ian Khama.
BDP aspirants in 2019 benefited from a vengeful south that was against the return of Khama to local politics. The Khama-Masisi feud was just the added fuel to Batswana's yearning for a change of political scene, making their voices emphatically heard.
Trailing behind Mokgethi were Botswana Congress Party's (BCP) Prince Dibeela, who came in third with ( AWAITING RESULTS) whilst Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) Malesu Ookeditse, and BMD Donald Motsumi were last respectively.
What transpired at Gaborone Bonnington North was the same case as other Gaborone constituencies. In Gaborone South, a constituency that was held by the late Dumezweni Mthimkhulu went to UDC with BDP losing yet another constituency.
UDC’s Nelson Ramaotwana was quick off the blocks and maintained a strong lead over his counterparts securing 1,000 ballots. Whilst Alfred Moatlhaping, who replaced Mthimkhulu, was left chasing.
UDC continued with its dominance in Gaborone. Phenyo Butale’s ticket back to Parliament under Gaborone Central is imminent. Butale is taking over the constituency that was held by Tumisang Mangweagape-Healy, who lost in the BDP's primary elections dubbed Bulela Ditswe. Professor Mpho Pheko went neck to neck with Butale but went on to lose by an insignificant margin.
Parliament hopeful and UDC vice president Ndaba Gaolathe had the chance to redeem himself after losing out in the 2019 General elections to earn the blue party another victory in the Gaborone Bonnington South constituency. Gaolathe was up against Christian Greeff who had won the area back in 2019, under the BDP ticket.
Gaborone North was also not spared as Shawn Ntlhaile maintained the perfect record of painting the capital blue as UDC continued with its dominance. Mpho Balopi abstaining in Bulela Ditswe meant he would forgo the 2024 General Election, which gave Rabaone Seema his chance. Seema represented the BDP and lost the seat to UDC.
Despite the palpable excitement amongst UDC supporters, the official results remain unverified as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) work to finalise the count.
As Gaborone’s shade turns blue, the outcome of the 2024 polls is poised to redefine Botswana’s political future as for the first time since independence, the country will witness a regime change.
