Mochotlhi’s second chance with Masisi
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 15, 2022 06:00
Collen Mochotlhi though sitting with the President as a member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC), was not close enough.
Mochotlhi was drawn even further by his suspension from the party by President Mokgweetsi Masisi himself. But his recent victory as the BDP NYEC chairperson, Mochotlhi has a chance to rebuild a relationship with the party leadership.
He was recently elected against all odds during the BDP youth congress in Bobonong. Mochotlhi’s team was not supported by the party leadership at the congress while he has not been in the good books with party leadership.
He was roped in a day before elections to represent ‘Chencha magiya’ - a team that was led by Otsile Machona. He garnered 203 votes over Tina Tameti’s 175 votes.
Mochotlhi is said to be a supporter of the outgoing BDP secretary-general, Mpho Balopi.
Mochotlhi was last year suspended from the party by President Masisi for different offences such as misconduct of which he was acquitted in December after appearing before the party’s disciplinary committee.
The new BDP NYEC chairperson is one of the principled ruling party members who are not easily silenced when he has a stand on the issues or believes that his party has taken the right decision.
He is known by many as a vocal politician who does not shy away from speaking his mind.
Recently, President Masisi at their party’s national council called on members to forgive others and reconcile for the sake of the party.
Masisi said they must forgive each other and focus on building the party and winning the 2024 General Election by a high popular vote.
“What the party needs is to come up with policies that could help change someone’s life. We had made promises to Batswana during the 2019 General Election, we have delivered some of the promises and we have to do so for those that we haven’t done. This is our party, not my party. We all own it and therefore let us work for it,” said Masisi.
On the other hand, Mochotlhi has called on the members to support party leadership and its aim of unity.
“The reason why it was easy for youth members to choose me is that I was supporting Machola and also other votes were sympathy ones from democrats who felt that it was unfair to disqualify someone when he/she has not yet turned 36. I never thought I could win since I joined the race at the 11th hour. My political record also helped me since I once served in this committee,” Mochotlhi said.
He said when assuming the office, he will be advocating for policies that could help to change the lives of the youth and how some could be improved.
The other thing that Mochotlhi believes is key now, is for the youth committee to start to help the President Masisi for 2024 General Election campaigns.
He once requested that BDP Youth and Women’s Wings to be changed to BDP Youth and Women’s Leagues.
This, according to the letter, is in line with provisions of the party constitution.
‘In accordance with Article 42.1.1 of the party Constitution, I hereby propose an amendment of Article 5. A Wing is replaced in favour of League,” reads the letter addressed to the party Executive Secretary, Merapelo Moloise, dated November 1, 2016.
By then, Mochotlhi believed that youth and women’s wings do not have power like leagues.