UDC unveils parliamentary candidates
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday June 25, 2024 10:10
Sam Digwa (Boteti West)
This is one of the constituencies to watch this year, as Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, who is also eyeing possible elevation to the presidency, is contesting here. The UDC has fielded Sam Digwa, who has been active in this area for years. In the 2019 General Election, Digwa, representing the UDC, secured several councillor positions, but Tsogwane won the parliamentary seat by a slim margin.
There is no dispute that Digwa poses a significant threat to Tsogwane’s rise to the State Presidency. If Digwa works as hard as he did before, he stands a big chance of winning. However, Tsogwane appears to be leaving no stone unturned in his campaigns. In the previous elections, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) got 7, 006 votes while the UDC 6, 713 and the AP 344. Tsogwane will be contesting under the BDP ticket. Digwa will be launched on August 24, 2024.
Phenyo Segokgo (Tlokweng)
This is one of the most unpredictable constituencies, often bringing surprises in every General Election. It is typically won by either the BDP or the BNF under the UDC. The numbers or margins from previous elections do not matter here. Whoever Batlokwa choose to support usually wins by a large margin. This time, the contest will be between the BDP and the UDC. The UDC is fielding Phenyo Segokgo, who, despite having his own faults like everyone else, is a well-liked and hardworking individual in the area. He previously served as the chairperson for the South East District Council (SDEC). Segokgo will be launched on August 24, 2024. In the 2019 General Election, the BDP won via 7, 473 votes, the UDC got 4, 654 and the AP got 704 votes.
Ketlhalefile FC
Motshegwa (Mmadinare)This is traditionally a BDP constituency, but it is not guaranteed that whoever wins the primaries will win the polls. The 2019 General Election demonstrated that it could be easily won by opposition parties. If Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, who is also the BNF secretary-general works hard and the BPF agrees to back him, he may snatch it from the BDP. Motshegwa is a formidable political figure, and his presence in the area is strongly felt.
However, it remains to be seen if he can secure victory, which would be a historic achievement for the opposition parties. Motshegwa is known within the trade union cycle and politics.
He will be contesting under the UDC ticket. In the previous elections, the BDP won with 6, 847, the UDC 3, 980, the BPF 2, 301 and AP got 555 votes. Motshegwa’s launch will be held on August 31, 2024.
However, one of the challenging things is that key wards that opposition parties won previously at Mmadinare constituency were moved to the Tswapong North constituency during the delimitation exercise, for example, Tamasane ward which was won by (BPF), Kgagodi/Diloro (AP), Mogapinyana (BDP) and Mogapi (UDC). These are wards the opposition dominates.
Nelson Ramaotwana
(Gaborone South)This constituency is winnable for any party, depending on how effectively they campaign. However, the area is quite unpredictable, particularly in wards like Bontleng and Naledi, where the number of residents per household is unclear. Additionally, the people of this constituency are known to be tricky and hard to understand.
Ramaotwana will be trying his luck as the UDC candidate for the second time. Although the margin between him and the BDP was significant in the previous election, it was not insurmountable. It remains to be seen if he will appeal to the masses this time around. Ramaotwana will be launched on September 7, 2024.
Justin Chipo Hunyepa (Tati West) Even though opposition parties, particularly the Botswana Perople Party (BPP), which is an affiliate of the UDC, have never won this area, their numbers in the General Election are not always bad. The constituency is typically won by the BDP. It remains to be seen if Hunyepa can secure a victory for the UDC, especially since he is well-known in the area and has a good rapport with workers due to his background as a trade unionist. However, it will not be as easy as one might think. Hunyepa will be launched on September 7, 2024. In the 2019 General Election, the BDP got 6, 236 votes, the UDC 4, 783 and the BPF 1, 622 votes.
Kebareeditse Ntsogotho
(Maun North)This is a new constituency that is not currently controlled by any party. Whoever works hard and appeals to the constituents of this area may secure the seat. The constituency has strong contenders, including the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president Dumelang Saleshando. Meanwhile, the BDP has yet to hold its primary elections to choose a candidate. Ntsogotho is the former chairperson of North West District Council (NWDC) and he is currently a councillor. Ntshogotho is popularly known in the area. He used to be a member of the BCP but did not go with his former party when it bolted out of the UDC. The launch is on September 14, 2024
Arafat Khan (Molepolole North) Molepolole North, much like the Tlokweng constituency, is known for its unpredictable political landscape. It often surprises major parties, particularly the Botswana National Front (BNF) and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), both of which have a strong presence in the area. The residents of Molepolole North are not easily swayed, making the outcome of elections there difficult to predict. In the 2014 General Election, the constituency was won by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). However, in the 2019 General Election, the BDP emerged victorious.
The upcoming 2024 polls are expected to be another closely watched contest. For the 2024 General election, the UDC has fielded Khan, a former councillor for the Borakalalo ward.
Khan is known for his dedication and hard work, having continued to engage with the community even after his loss in the 2019 polls. In the BNF primaries, Khan secured a significant victory, winning by over 2, 000 votes, showcasing his strong support base within the party. Khan will be launched on September 14, 2024.
Donald Keakile (Ramotswa)Ramotswa constituency has traditionally been a stronghold for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), both of which have established solid bases in the area. The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has not been as influential in Ramotswa compared to these two dominant parties. However, Keakile, the UDC candidate, is set to contest in the upcoming elections.
For Keakile to secure a victory, he will need to work exceptionally hard to resonate with the residents of Ramotswa. This includes effectively communicating the UDC’s manifesto and demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of the local community. If he manages to do so, he could potentially sway voters and achieve a surprise victory in the constituency. Keakile will be launched on September 14, 2024.