Rangaswamy unseats deputy speaker in AP Women’s League upset

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday June 4, 2025 12:09

Manyaneng, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Metsimotlhabe/Mmopane, was seeking re-election to retain her position within the party’s Women’s League. However, she faced a narrow but significant defeat during the league’s elective congress on Saturday at Gaborone Senior Secondary School.

The election was a key moment for the Women’s League, symbolising internal democratic renewal and the potential for fresh leadership within the party.

The results, announced on Sunday, saw Rangaswamy secure 190 votes against Manyaneng’s 178, a slim margin of just 12 votes that nevertheless carried heavy political weight.

Despite the close tally, Manyaneng was noticeably absent during the ballot counting and the announcement of the results. No representative was present on her behalf either, a move many interpreted as an attempt to avoid public embarrassment.

Transitioning into leadership with humility and a vision for unity, Rangaswamy expressed gratitude and determination upon accepting the results.

“My aim is to work with all members and to build women’s structures in every constituency, even where none currently exist,” she declared.

Rangaswamy emphasised that one of her immediate priorities would be to ensure the Women’s League is governed by a formal constitution.

“A league cannot operate effectively without a clear constitutional framework,” she said in an interview on Sunday.

Rangaswamy also stressed the need for a policy forum that would enable the league to advocate for necessary policy reforms, particularly those that continue to disadvantage women in government and society.

According to her, this forum will serve as a platform for collective dialogue, allowing women within the party to push for changes that foster greater gender parity.

One of Rangaswamy’s primary concerns is the lack of female and youth representation within the Umbrella for Democratic Change’s (UDC) National Executive Committee (NEC).

“We must take deliberate steps toward achieving gender equality,” she asserted.

She believes the absence of women and youth voices at the NEC level is a significant gap that hinders inclusive policymaking.

Moreover, Rangaswamy argued that meaningful representation of women in national structures like parliament and local councils must begin within the party.

“Change starts at home,” she said. “If we can institutionalise gender inclusion within our own party structures, then we can lead by example and help shift public perceptions about women in leadership.”

She further stressed the need to transform the electoral system to better support women's participation and success in politics.

“When our internal processes reflect fairness and inclusivity, it becomes easier to convince society of the value of voting for women and embracing electoral reforms,” she explained.

Rangaswamy’s unexpected victory represents more than just a leadership change, it marks a pivotal moment for the Alliance for Progressives Women’s League.

Her forward-looking agenda, centred on inclusivity, structure, and reform, has already begun to generate conversations within the party about the future of women’s leadership and the importance of empowering all voices.

However, the chairperson of Tlokweng District Council, Ontiretse Bogatsu became unopposed for Secretary-General.

For the vice president position, Matshidiso Morebodi won with 185 votes against Virginia Boingotlo's 117 votes.

On the other hand, treasurer-general was contested for by three contestants being Segomotso Keediwe who got 39 votes and Cecilia Saakane with 82 votes, both of who were beaten by Gorata Molefe with 142 votes.