He adds that he had thought at least between 800 and 900 people were going to vote for him. However, pleased with the outcome, he says he got less votes because the elections were held at month end.
Setshwantsho who lost in the 1999 polls, began his political career in 1968 as a BNF member. He says after losing in 1999, he decided to start campaigning in 2000. He asserts that his house-to-house campaigns led to his success. His strategy involved walking to see voters. Looking back at the past, Setshwantsho reminisces about the days he used to walk from Mafikeng to Lobatse.
“I now walk from here (Bontleng) to Broadhurst then Mogoditshane and Kgale View before returning home,” he says. His modesty is exemplified by the simple photo-copied campaign posters placed on poles in Bontleng. His vision is to see over 5000 residents of Bontleng united. But importantly, he would like the electorate to see the usefulness of voting. He wants to introduce a savings initiative with the help of the community to assist in times of need. He will focus on the health of the people of Bontleng and speak against pit latrines that still exist in the area. He wants to tackle the water problem because there are people who still cannot afford to have water in their homes in the area.
The dusty roads that still run through the ward are a concern to him as well. So are the school dropouts who loiter the streets in the area. He intends to improve the programmes that are meant to keep the dropouts in school and away from crime. However, he laments that five years is just too short to achieve his aims.
Setshwantsho is involved in many initiatives from Home Based Care, health, politics and crime prevention. He worked for the government for 14 years before he went to construction business. Later he worked for Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) for 10 years. He has continued his construction and maintenance business.
He said those who want to write themselves off after they retire can gladly do so. With moral support, Setshwantsho sees himself succeeding in his endeavours. He has five children with his wife Mary and five grandchildren.
