Motshegwa, Mohwasa face off for BNF SG
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday July 12, 2022 06:00
While Ketlhalefile Motshegwa and his Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) were big players in uniting opposition parties ahead of the 2019 general elections, Moeti Mohwasa was part of the BNF leadership that managed opposition unity.
The two men claim theirs is a peaceful war as they have mutual respect for one another. This is even though Mohwasa had initially said he would not stand, support Motshegwa, and later decided to run for SG position.
Speaking to The Monitor, Motshegwa said he is only focused on his candidacy. “There is no bad blood between us. We come from far and continue to engage as comrades. I am focused on selling my ideas to eligible voters and also working towards the 2024 general elections,” he said.
Motshegwa further said there was nothing wrong with Mohwasa contesting to defend his position, as it is his democratic right. He said election lobbies are temporary while they remain comrades.
The veteran unionist who represented Umbrella for Democratic Change at Gaborone Bonnington South long made his intention of contesting known back in 2020 before multiple postponements of the congress. He now has to win against a man who had given him his blessings, Mohwasa.
Thanks to the postponements, Mohwasa has retraced his steps stating that BNF members wanted him to continue serving.
“I had taken a decision not to avail myself in this year’s elective congress. This is a decision I took because I had personal ventures that I wanted to pursue and focus on. I indicated that though I would not be the SG, I would remain a loyal member of the party, open for deployment by the party and its members at any time. That is what a loyal and disciplined member does. Subject yourself to the wishes of your comrades. Ever since the announcement, some comrades have been encouraging me to revisit my decision. My response was that though I wanted to focus on personal ventures if the members nominated me I would reconsider. I honestly got surprised when several constituencies expressed interest in having me continue as the secretary-general. After long and deep thought and reflection I conceded,” he said.
Mohwasa who also doubles as UDC Head of Communication said he is now available to be deployed. “I believe that the investment that the party has put in me both in practice and theory has capacitated me to deal with whatever challenges that may arise at both the BNF and the UDC. It is now up to the members to decide at the elective congress. A decision I will abide by. My wish is that the comrades conduct a clean and non-divisive campaign. Come July 19, we will have to come together and take our party to a higher level. I would like to carry on working for the BNF/UDC with the leadership collective. I relate with Cde Motshegwa as I have before. Contesting for the same position is nothing personal and therefore it can’t change how I relate with Cde Motshegwa. It is part of the internal democratic processes,” Mohwasa said.
Disgruntled Team Bucs led by Baatlhodi Molatlhegi will be represented by Kgakgamatso Kebiditswe for the SG position. They await a court ruling as to whether elections will continue after they approached the court for an interdict.