Kaartze’s second bite at Kgalagadi South
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday October 6, 2025 06:00
Kaartze, who lost the 2024 General Election contest to the Umbrella for Democratic Change's (UDC) Dr. Micus Chimbombi, this time sailed through unopposed to return to the race for Parliament. The vacancy for the Kgalagadi South parliamentary seat became vacant after the death of Chimbombi recently due to health issues. Initially, she faced competition from fellow BDP aspirants Sam Brooks and Hendry Louw. However, both withdrew to clear the way for her candidacy. Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, BDP executive-secretary, Ame Makoba, confirmed the development, noting that Kaartze might end up being the only returning face from the 2024 race, that is, if the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) decides not to contest. “If BPF does not field a candidate, then Kaartze will likely be the only one from the 2024 ballot to return. Again, that will give us an upper hand as she is already known in the area,” Makoba stated.
Makoba said currently the BDP is standing a good chance because of a compromise candidate, since primary elections at times divide the members in the area. He, however, said the numbers that BDP got in the 2024 General Elections are not bad and give them hope that they can win the area if united, as it looks. In the 2024 general elections, UDC got 8700 votes, BDP 6070, and BPF 1074.
Recently, when the BDP president, Mpho Balopi, addressed a press conference, he said: 'The spirit of peace, building and reconciliation is our inspiration and our members are learning to put the party before their personal goals.”
He emphasised that the two other candidates were vetted-in and approved, but that they later voluntarily withdrew after engagements amongst themselves and with the Party leadership. Therefore, it is as a result of this process that Kaartze remained the only remaining candidate, and she was therefore declared as the party's candidate.
Historically, Kgalagadi South has never had a woman MP. BDP will be looking to rewrite history with Kaartze. The previous MPs, all men, include Lesedi Mothibamele, Neo Moroka, John Toto, Frans Van Der Westhuizen, Sam Brooks, and the late Chimbombi. However, it remains to be seen whether Kaartze will break this male domination. “I have a strong heart to serve the people of Kgalagadi and represent their interests as I was born and raised here and later exported elsewhere, where I have gained valuable experience,” she says of herself. Kaartze, a trained nurse and midwife, has worked in the government and private sector. She has further established herself as an entrepreneur.
A daughter of community builders, Kaartze said she has also contributed massively to the development of Kgalagadi South through corporate social responsibility initiatives such as school adoption and donating equipment that promotes digitization and modern teaching and learning. Primary schools in major villages of Kgalagadi South, like Tsabong and Werda, are amongst her beneficiaries.
Asked about what she intends to do for Kgalagadi South voters, she explained that she will amplify the voice of her people and be the voice of reason in parliament. She argues that she knows their plight, having worked with and for them in charity projects through her foundation, Annabella Trust Fund, which is named after her mother, as well as donations made through her company during tough crisis times, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am not a job seeker,” she says. “I am an advocate and extension of the dreams and desires of my constituents.”
Diana Kaartze is expected to go head to head with representative of UDC, Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Tshepang Brooks and possibly BPF.
Save for BCP, who have fielded Brooks, all other parties have yet to confirm their candidates. The by-election date has not been set and it is the prerogative of President Duma Boko as the Constitution dedicates. It remains to be seen whether Kaartze will emerge on this second chance or whether she will once again fall to UDC’s glory. For context, all five of the surviving former MPs who have previously represented the constituency are BDP members. Time will tell whether this will work in BDP’s favour.
With the by-election drawing near, attention now turns to whether opposition parties will step up or stay out. Meanwhile, the BPF members had written to the party leadership requesting that they may be allowed to contest.