Moremaoto votes, parties face reality
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday December 5, 2025 10:56
By-elections often arrive quietly, triggered by unfortunate circumstances such as the death of an elected leader and a councillor in this case, yet they carry enormous political weight.
These are moments when communities express their satisfactions or disappointments with the direction the country is taking by casting their vote.
These special elections also serve as a barometer for parties to measure whether their messages still resonate with voters or whether the political winds are shifting.
While turnout in by-elections rarely matches the high numbers seen in general ones, the impact of the results is often just as meaningful, if not more.
This weekend’s contest has attracted intense interest and fierce competition, with every major political formation descending upon Moremaoto ward in the Boteti West constituency.
The stakes are high and the strategies even higher, as each party hopes to secure victory or at least demonstrate that their political ground remains firm.
BDP
For the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), this particular ward is far more than just another electoral area to defend. It carries symbolic value, especially because the former vice president, Slumber Tsogwane, comes from the constituency. Losing it would not only disrupt the party’s hold on the ward but would also be interpreted as a sign of its diminishing influence in a constituency closely associated with one of its senior figures.
What makes this moment even more noteworthy is that, following his loss in the recent party congress where he sought the BDP presidency, Tsogwane is now visibly back on the campaign trail. His presence signals the seriousness with which the former ruling party treats the by-election. It is a rare political moment where internal party dynamics, constituency loyalty, and national image are all intertwined. For the ex-Vice President, lending his support is both a political necessity and an opportunity to reaffirm his standing within the BDP after the congress outcome.
UDC
On the opposite side of the political battlefield, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is also treating this by-election as a priority. The coalition has made it clear that it is not willing to leave any stone unturned. The UDC teams have been dispatched across the entire ward, campaigning house-to-house and mobilising support wherever possible. The UDC enters the race with renewed confidence, largely influenced by its recent momentum after winning the Kgalagadi South by-election. That victory has boosted morale within the party, strengthening the belief that their messaging is beginning to resonate strongly with voters.
BCP
Not to be left behind, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has also thrown itself fully into the contest. Despite not attracting high numbers during the 2024 General Election in this particular ward, the party sees the by-election as an opportunity for redemption and growth.
BCP campaign teams have been working tirelessly, committing themselves to ensure the party’s presence is felt across all corners of the ward. For them, this election is about more than just votes, it is about rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with supporters, and showing that the BCP still has strong and determined grassroots structures.
Independent candidates
What makes this by-election even more intriguing is the presence of two independent candidates, Poloko Gaolebalwe and Sonda Seepetswe. Their participation adds a new dynamic that could influence the final outcome significantly. Independent candidates often attract voters who are dissatisfied with traditional party politics or who believe that local leadership should matter more than party allegiances. Their decision to enter the race suggests that there is a layer of political sentiment in Moremaoto that feels unrepresented by existing party structures. Independents can reshape the trajectory of a ward by splitting votes, capturing silent support, or appealing to community-driven priorities.
On Saturday, the people of Moremaoto will choose their next representative from a list of five contenders. The contestants are Basiami Odirile of the BCP, Dikaelo Mphaphi of the UDC, Mabego Gaoletlhoo of the BDP, and the two independents, Gaolebalwe and Seepetswe. Each candidate brings different political experience, community reputation, and campaign strength.
As the weekend approaches, the mood is charged with anticipation. Residents are preparing to cast their vote, while political parties wait anxiously to see whether their efforts will translate into real support.
In the 2024 General Election, the BDP won the ward after being voted by 217 people, while UDC got 185, and BCP 50 with seven votes spoilt.