Otto retains Red Cross top seat in landslide victory
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday December 19, 2023 07:20
According to the constitution, an elective AGA must be held every four years.
At the most recent AGA, Itumeleng Otto, the president, was endorsed by members through a voting process, as required by the constitution. Otto’s re-election as president of the BRSC was uncontested, with no candidates running against him.
The president was endorsed by a significant majority of the delegates, with 40 out of 43 in his favour. Although only three votes were against the president’s re-election these votes still represent a small, but notable minority. The vice president position was contested by Dr Olympia Tombe and Otshidile Tshegetsang, with Tshegetsang receiving 32 votes and Dr Tombe receiving 11 votes.
The difference in the number of votes reflects the close competition for this important position. The BRSC constitution stipulates that at least 43 delegates must be present at the AGA. This requirement was met at the recent AGA. “The new BRSC constitution stipulates that only the positions of president and vice president will be elected, unlike the previous constitution.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) consists of seven members, including the president, vice president, treasurer, legal advisor, divisional chair, youth representative, secretary-general and two co-opted members with special skills.
The treasurer and legal advisor are also co-opted by the NEC, while the youth representative will be elected by the Youth General Assembly early next year,” BRSC secretary-general Kutlwano Mukokomani told delegates on Saturday
. In addition, Mukokomani said the new constitution also outlines specific responsibilities for the president and his vice. He said the vice president’s responsibilities include membership drive, membership, volunteerism and structure revivals, while the president is responsible for donor relations, BRSC-government relations, strategic plan delivery, chair AGAs, stakeholder relations, and strategic partnership. “We will work hard as the new NEC to take the organisation forward, but we can only do so if we work hand in hand with the members.
The number of our members who pay subscription fees should go up, together with the number of volunteers,” Otto said when addressing members after being declared the president. He also emphasised the importance of members continuing to work hard for the BRSC, highlighting the success of society’s polio campaign. He said efforts to administer polio vaccines to children, was a programme that has had significant success in saving lives. He also urged members to continue their excellent work and save lives.