Molefhi’s never-say-die attitude
Spira Tlhankane | Monday April 7, 2025 12:26
However, it surely describes Nonofho Molefhi’s drive as he vies for the Presidential position for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) during the May congress. This is a man who challenged two different Vice Presidents for the chairpersonship seat and lost. Since his last sighting at the Tsabong Congress in 2022, Molefhi, who some describe as ‘humble’, is now out of the shadows. Despite the BDP’s humiliating loss at the polls last October, Molefhi, a former Cabinet minister, feels he can repair the ship that was sunk under the captainship of outgoing BDP president, Mokgweetsi Masisi. Speaking at a press briefing this week, Molefhi says he is the right man for the job because he has been consistent and committed to bringing about positive changes to the BDP. He also said he plans to make serious and institutional changes.
Molefhi said he wants to do things in a way that will make the BDP members be part of the party once again. Molefhi’s main goals are to rebuild, restore, and reform the BDP. He disclosed that the race for the presidential position at the BDP is not about who is the best but about putting out the best ideas to resurrect the once mighty BDP. “It is not about ourselves as candidates; it’s about the BDP and democrats,” he said. He said the BDP has worked hard to develop the country, but over the years, it became complicit and complacent. Molefhi said they have to dig themselves out of the loss. He said he was happy that the BDP members have learnt their lesson, even though they had to learn it the hard way. Molefhi said they should reflect on some of the things and see how they can change. “We lost elections because there was erosion of our values, traditions, and the core ethos the BDP was built with,” he said. Molefhi pointed out that the BDP drifted away from building the institution and decided to rally behind individuals. He said this ultimately manifested into factions. He said factions are not a problem as long as they are not used for destructive purposes. He said his camp in 2017 was called ‘Ko Marakanelong,’ meaning that they should look back and do a lot of self-reflection. The former Selebi-Phikwe East legislator said at the Tonota congress in 2017 that he was accused of creating two centers of power when he advocated for the dissolution of the powers of the president to other structures of the party. “The constitution is the problem because it vests so much with the president,” he indicated.
Molefhi added that he is contesting because he was asked to come and help resurrect the BDP. He said there should be reconciliation for BDP members who quarreled in the past. He said he wants to empower members so that they can know that the party doesn’t belong to the leaders. “We want to give them reason to belong. We want them to be hopeful,” he highlighted. Molefhi will be facing BDP chairperson Slumber Tsogwane, former BDP secretary-general (SG) Mpho Balopi, Ame Makoba, and Dr Maxwell Nhlatho. While others will be challenging for a top position for the very first time, Molefhi is not new to this, and he will be renewing his rivalry with Tsogwane. The last time they met was that Tsabong white wash in 2022 when the pair was fighting for the chairperson position. Masisi-backed Tsogwane lobby team won all the positions up for grabs. Molefhi’s lobby, called ‘Team Equity’, included Shaw Kgathi, Unity Dow, and Tebelelo Seretse. Molefhi's Team Equity later addressed a press conference after the elective congress, indicating that they are not Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) sympathisers as Tsogwane had labelled them in Tsabong. Molefhi was a latecomer in the 2022 race, but this time around, he says he had to make his intention known earlier because other candidates had already started campaigning.
Before Tsogwane, Molefhi had faced another giant in Masisi back in 2017. Masisi was still a VP then, and Molefhi was facing an uphill battle against Masisi’s affluent ‘Team Dubai. Team Dubai swept the stakes, scoring highly in all the contested positions, including additional members, leaving the rival lobby group of Molefhi’s Team Marakanelo empty-handed. Back then, Molefhi was the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development and a Member of Parliament (MP). Molefhi, later in 2018, lost the Selebi-Phikwe East constituency candidacy to Amogelang Mojuta, who amassed 1, 307 to his 1, 136 votes during the BDP primary elections (Bulela Ditswe). By entering the race this time against several candidates, Molefhi has already shown that he is not the one to be fazed by competition. But, as history has taught Molefhi, every race is the kind that needs strategy. Some believe Molefhi’s ‘down to earth’ personality is what the BDP needs to pause and see where it fell short. Molefhi does not want the repeat of the Tonota 2017 debacle and the 2022 Tsabong shame. With his experience in the 2015, 2017, and 2022 congresses, Molefhi is not entering uncharted waters, but it is not going to be an easy road either.