Reatile gets sweet victory for his sweat
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday September 19, 2023 06:00
Despite a last-minute challenge from fellow National Executive Committee (NEC) member Prince Bosilong, Reatile won with 829 votes, Bosilong trailed with just 33 votes, while seven ballots were spoilt.
The BPF congress, originally scheduled to commence at 8:30am, faced an unexpected delay, lasting over four hours. Sources attribute this to a surge in contenders and the tardy arrival of party members. Attempts to reach a consensus candidate proved futile, resulting in party leaders working tirelessly late into the night to organise the elections.
It was only after 11:00am on Sunday that Reatile was officially declared the newly elected leader of the BPF. Reatile, who currently serves as the Jwaneng-Mabutsane legislator, assumed the position of vice president (VP) of the BPF on May 12.
Remarkably, within a mere 24 days, he convened a controversial 'unlawful' National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that led to the suspension of the then-party president, Biggie Butale, on June 5. Although the High Court swiftly overturned Butale's suspension four days later, suspicions arose that Reatile's rise to 'acting president' had been planned, to push Butale out.
Initially, Reatile's sudden takeover as acting president was perceived as a strategic move to pave the way for BPF patron, Khama, to assume the presidency. However, with Khama allegedly retracting his intentions, Reatile found himself at the helm during tumultuous times.
He navigated the party through a series of court battles initiated by Butale, which ultimately culminated in Butale's suspension and expulsion from the party. Reatile's resounding victory can be attributed to his unwavering loyalty to Khama, a loyalty that dates back several years. Moreover, this triumph may open the door to a senior position within the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), as the BPF has resolved to join them.
Looking back on Reatile's political career, he first emerged on the scene in the 2004 General Election as a member of the Botswana National Front (BNF). He defeated Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) heavyweight and then Local Government minister Michael Tshipinare. In the 2009 General Election, still under the BNF banner, Reatile successfully defended his Ngwaketse West constituency, defeating Olebetse Pule of the BDP. In 2012, he left the BNF to become an independent MP before subsequently defecting to the BDP in the same year. Although he contested the 2014 General Election under the BDP, he faced defeat for the first time in a decade, losing the constituency to Shawn Nthaile of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Despite this setback, Reatile's political career persisted. He was nominated as a specially nominated councillor in his constituency by the BDP and later went on to become the Southern District Council chairperson. In 2016, when the number of Specially Elected MPs increased, Reatile and Bogolo Kenewendo were amongst those who benefited under the Khama administration. Reatile made a triumphant return to the political arena in 2019, contesting the general election once more under the BDP banner and successfully defeating Nthaile.
However, his tenure in the ruling party was short-lived as he faced suspension in August 2020 for allegedly contravening the BDP's caucus directives in Parliament and publicly criticising its leadership in a radio interview. Amidst growing speculation of his impending expulsion from the BDP, Reatile made the bold decision to resign from the party in December 2020, aligning himself with his former mentor, Khama's BPF, just before the implementation of the Floor Crossing Bill. While some anticipated a return to the BNF, Reatile's surprising move solidified his association with Khama and set the stage for his recent victory in the BPF leadership contest.
Meanwhile, Thoko Muzila was unopposed for the VP position. Lawrence Ookeditse won the secretary-general position by 669 votes to Dr Kolaatamo Malefho’s 172 votes. Former permanent secretary to the President, Carter Morupisi is the new party chairperson after garnering 435 votes to Prince Maele’s 408 votes. Lazarus Lekgoanyane was voted as Treasurer General by 675 people over 162 who voted for Jacob Mosimanyane. Onneile Segwai garnered 738 votes to be Lekgoanyane’s deputy against Robert Mariba’s 110 votes.