BDP's 10 most influential women

In a patriarchal society like ours, where men have always had a domineering influence it is not always easy to notice the positive role played by the womenfolk. In this article, Mmegi staff writer RYDER GABATHUSE assesses the influence of the 10 most powerful women in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)

Dr Margaret Nasha:
She is the first female Speaker of Parliament in Botswana. Nasha is a shrewd politician who has advantage of exposure for having served the country as a civil servant in her hey day. This gives her extensive knowledge of the government systems and procedures. She first entered Cabinet in 1994, serving at some of the powerful ministries of local government, presidential affairs and public administration.She is so outspoken she has attracted sobriquets like  "The Iron Lady of the BDP" mainly because of her firmness. At political rallies and parliamentary debates, Nasha never ceased to amaze. She has chaired the powerful BDP Women's Wing with aplomb before. She has also chaired the party's sub committee of Political Education and Election Committee (PEEC).Before the 2009 general election as she had indicated that she was not contesting the party primary elections, she was charged with the responsibility of launching the party's leadership training manual commonly known as 'Domkrag Kgomo Ya Motswana'.

Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi:
She is one of the few women politicians President Ian Khama trusts. She often speaks on first name basis with Khama. The President always calls her funny names, mma-di Beans (derived from Binns).Venson-Moitoi is a journalist-cum-politician. She entered Parliament in 1999 as one of the four specially-elected MPs and was re-elected in the 2004 general election. She calls a spade a spade.She served at powerful ministries of works, transport and communications, ministry of trade and industries and the then wildlife and tourism. She would later serve as Minister Of Communications, Science and Technology.She is an indefatigable fighter, who strives to get what she wants. Take, for instance, the political fight with her party nemesis, Ambassador Tebelelo Seretse. Venson-Moitoi fought so hard for the BDP ticket in the Serowe South constituency, leaving Seretse bruised.
She easily avails herself to do the party political dirty work at freedom squares and can fare well even in boardroom politics where party policies and programmes are traded.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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