Madongwana defy Masisi's subliminal message
Innocent Selatlhwa - Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday August 9, 2022 06:00
Though he was not direct with the youth wing during his speech, Masisi sent a subliminal message to the party’s youth to support him and Vice President Slumber Tsogwane to lead the party to victory in 2024.
It was evident that the party leadership wanted Tina Tameti’s team to emerge victorious ahead of three others who had made their intentions to contest known.
A lobby team termed ‘Chencha Magiya’ won key positions in the BDP even though their initial preferred leader was sidelined at the 11th hour.
The lobby is believed to be pro-Nonofo Molefhi and Shaw Kgathi who are seeking to be elected as BDP chairperson and secretary-general respectively. The ‘Chencha Magiya’ lobby list was initially led by Otsile Machona who could not contest because of the age limit, which is set between 16 and 35 years.
This irked some BDP youth members who felt that the electoral board should have clarified the matter much earlier and not two days before the elective congress.
Tameti was contesting for the chairperson seat and his team changed a day before the congress as he and Kabelo Masvingo Mhuriro’s team had to compromise and form one team. Mhuriro dropped out of the race for chairperson and went for the secretary-general position where he performed dismally.
Though they did not make noise about their displeasure, the youth sent back their own subliminal message to the leadership when they voted for Machona’s team.
The Monitor also learnt from the young people that they were unhappy with the decision that was made by the electoral board to deny their preferred candidates a day in the sun. Former BDP NYEC chairperson, Karabo Gomotsegang said it was unfortunate that the clarification on who could contest was made late.
“I believe the electoral board should make clarity on the matters well in time for this kind of scenario to be avoided. It is unfortunate that some youth who wanted to contest had already spent their resources campaigning,” Gomotsegang said.
Still, on the matter, BDP Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC) chairperson, Alec Seametso said they have received a complaint letter that was seeking clarity from one of the youth members during the congress.
“It is only that the procedure was not followed since the letter was not copied to the electoral board which made the clarifications on the matter. We have advised him to address the letter to the office and copy it to relevant structures because the clarification that the electoral board will make to him might help others as well. PEEC’s role in congress is to ensure that elections go smoothly and they are free and fair to all. Queries and clarity on certain issues are handled by the electoral board not us,” he said.
He further said elections have gone smoothly and the youth were very cooperative. Seametso said he believed that there would be peace amongst youth since those who lost were able to shake hands and hug the winners without complaints.
For his part, Machola said the electoral board has clarified the issue of the age limit.
“It is a decision I accept wholeheartedly and had withdrawn from the race. I will like to thank all members who rallied behind me.”
Another contender who withdrew because of age is Tony Sebabi. He said he does not want to comment on party internal issues, but confirmed that he had written a letter only to seek clarity on the age limit.