Serame leads women’s contest
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 13, 2022 06:00
The congress will be held in Kanye at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School on June 18, 2022.
Serame will battle it out with the former vice secretary for Gabane/Mmankgodi constituency, Sethu Maano-Gabanakgosi and women rights activist, Gosego Mmolawa.
So far, Serame’s name appears on three different campaign teams for Women’s Wing position elections compared to Maano-Gabanakgosi and Mmolawa.
Even though Serame is not popular amongst the BDP rank and file, the fact of the matter is her national profile as a Cabinet Minister is playing in her favour. Serame’s contenders are hardcore BDP members, Maano-Gabanakgosi and Mmolawa.
Maano-Gabanakgosi has served the BDP as vice secretary for branch committee as well as National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC) as a political officer while Mmolawa has served the party Francistown-West branch women’s committee and Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC).
Mmolawa believes she is a capable candidate for the position since she already has a place in a non-governmental organisation that deals with issues concerning women and the girl-child.
“As a way of empowering women, I have approached different companies in order to find ways of sponsoring ululation ‘mpululu majotia’ so that those who are good in it could make a living out of it. I will sign deals with different companies that want to assist with it,” Mmolawa said.
“I am an activist also on gender-based violence issues and therefore, I work with women daily which makes me understand issues affecting different women across the country. I do have conversations with women even on the national Radio Botswana morning show, Masa-a-sele.”
For her part, Maano-Gabanakgosi is hoping that she will be voted for as she has been working hard for the party and it can be attested to by many in the party. When contacted for comment, Maano-Gabanakgosi said they are not allowed to speak to the media.
However, one campaign manager for Serame, outgoing Women's Wing chairperson Veronicah Lesole said her team believes that the party needs a new face to represent women and also one who can advocate for their issues well at Cabinet-level.
“She will ensure that our resolutions are taken into consideration. She will be representing us at Cabinet, central committee and therefore, it will be easy to convince some members on what we want as women,” She added.
Mmegi has learnt that Serame is banking on different members who approached her to contest to do the campaigns since she is still new in politics and its culture.
It is understood that at first, Serame was not interested in the position but was approached by members, as they believe that they want a woman who could represent them in both Cabinet and central committee.
“Yes, we have indeed approached Serame to contest and she agreed and I will be contesting as her deputy under her team,” said Lesole.
Another competitive position is the secretary position as well as the treasurer one. Those who are contesting for the secretary position include Pinkie Motswakhumo, Tshenolo Leshomo and Tiny Dinoko.
For vice-chairperson, those who will battle it out include Julia Meranda, Angelinah Sengalo and current chairperson Veronicah Lesole while for the treasurer position, the contestants are Orefitlhetse Masire, Susan Kenosi and Gelekete Dikoma.
On other issues, the outgoing chairperson Lesole said the theme of the congress is, ‘Our empowerment, Our unity, Our victory #2024’. She said so far the preparations for the congress are going well and out of 57 constituencies so far 52 have already registered for the congress.
“We only have five constituencies that will be holding their congresses this weekend and by Monday, they will be able to register for the congress. We hope that before Wednesday, all constituencies would have registered,” she said.