I am open to representing BDP – Zimona
Correspondent | Monday May 13, 2024 04:36
Recently, rumours have been doing rounds in the media and social media platforms that it is only a matter of time before the BDP hand picks Zimona to be its parliamentary candidate for Maun East.
The rumours gained more traction after the BDP did not approve its activists, former Cabinet minister Konstantino Markus, former BDP Maun North West regional chairperson, Reaoboka Mbulawa and businessman, Chris Bethia, to contest primaries after they had expressed interest in doing so.
After the announcement of its parliamentary candidates across 61 constituencies, save for Maun East, the BDP released a statement saying: “For Maun East, there is a consultation going on that may include those who have already applied or they may not be included.”
Asked how he felt after the BDP did not approve his name to contest in the BDP primaries, Markus said: “I am not in a position to answer the question you have just asked me. I don’t know anything about what you are asking me. The central committee (CC) of the BDP is better placed to answer the question that you have just asked me. Please ask the BDP about that.”
For his part, Mbulawa stated that he was not bitter about the BDP’s decision not to approve him to take part in its primaries. “I’m okay. I don’t have any qualms about the decision taken by the BDP not to approve my name to contest in the party’s primary elections. I’m fine and in good spirits,” Mbulawa responded.
Rumours from Maun East suggest that it is only a matter of time before the BDP hand picks Zimona to be its candidate in the upcoming general election that some hold the view will be the most competitive since the advent of democracy in Botswana. “Rumours that the BDP is in the process of hand-picking Zimona to be its parliamentary candidate in Maun East are not true. Nothing like that will happen. We also hear those rumours in the media and some sections of society, but there is no information from the BDP to that effect. “What we know as BDP members in Maun East is that the party is still dealing with the process of identifying BDP cadres in good standing to compete in its primaries just like in other constituencies. The BDP secretariat is best placed to address the rumour you are asking me about,” said a high ranking BDP member in Maun East.
Asked about the rumours, Zimona told Mmegi on Wednesday that he had retired from the Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) in February this year where he worked as Corporate Affairs Lead. He noted that he was amenable to representing the BDP in Maun East if approached to do so.
Zimona said: “Just like you, I have heard rumours in the media and social media platforms to the effect that there are plans by the BDP to woo me to be their parliamentary candidate in Maun East. “Those rumours are not true. I have not been approached by anyone from the BDP to be their parliamentary candidate. The rumours are maybe fuelled by the fact that after my retirement from the corporate sector in February, people have been constantly seeing me in Maun but they should remember that I come from Maun.”
Quizzed on what he would do if the BDP approached him, Zimona said: “If the BDP approaches me, I will accept the offer of being their parliamentary candidate in Maun East.”
While Zimona said he was open to the offer of the BDP if approached, the ruling party is denying rumours that it is eyeing Zimona to be their Maun East candidate.
The secretary-general of the BDP, Kavis Kario said: “There is not one iota of truth to the rumour you are asking me about in Maun East. The Zimona issue you are asking me about is mere speculation. That is why I am telling you that the BDP is still in the process of identifying candidates who will compete in our primary elections in Maun East.”