Ramogapi, Palapye’s dapperly garbed legislators
Ryder Gabathuse | Wednesday December 17, 2025 10:00
Ramogapi. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO
“When I became an MP in 2019, I wanted to brand myself as attire speaks to the people about who I am,” explains Ramogapi amidst laughter, as he was kitted in another of his numerous checked suits (brown in colour) during the interview at the Main Mall. He emphasises that the only influence on his choice of suits is simply a matter of branding and marketing himself as an MP and an individual brand.
He is aware there are people who incessantly derision him for his consistently checked appearance. “It does not affect me anymore as that is what I have purposed to be. I wanted to have a unique appearance and attract positive attention from the people.” Some feel Ramogapi is stuck with the vintage, a quip he dismisses with the contempt it deserves.
Personal image
His personal image is crucial for several reasons. He believes his image can shape public perception and influence how people view him, his work and his values. He is steadfast that a strong positive image can build credibility and trust with the public, while a negative image can erode it. No wonder President Duma Boko, when launching the Bonno Housing Project in Palapye, described the Minister as a man of good fashion taste, particularly for his suits, remarking that Ramogapi was unique for his fashion sense, leaving the constituents in incessant laughter after Boko’s remark.
“A well-managed image can help build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including the media, partners and the public.” He is so particular about how his image might influence public support for his party’s policies and initiatives.
His checked suits have become a distinctive part of his public image. His bold and vibrant checked patterns have drawn attention and admiration from his followers, making him stand out in formal settings. The unique style seemingly reflects his personality and flair for fashion, showcasing confidence and individuality, albeit it had attracted condemnation from his detractors who insist the legislator and Minister of Water and Human Settlement can do much better in his personal choices and appearance as they feel the check suits are old-fashioned.
As a Minister of State, Ramogapi has appeared at public gatherings attired in normal suits aside from his checked suits, which he feels don’t represent his chosen brand. He jokes that even the Chinese shops that sell the majority of his stuff have branded the suits as ‘Lamogapi’, a corrupted version of his name. The Palapye legislator has visibly seven checked suits with others’ check lines buried in their dominant colours.
The checked suits can be a stylish and memorable choice for formal events, and Ramogapi seems to pull it off. The Minister has, however, raised concerns that some people misconstrue his wife to be the one who recommends the checked suits for him, whilst she is always dapperly dressed in public appearances with the Minister. The suits are purely the Minister’s fashion flavour. It is his ostentatious smartness.
Palapye influence
Historically, there is, however, direct influence from the Palapye constituency itself on Ramogapi’s taste of attire. He is the constituency’s fifth legislator, with all his predecessors having served in Cabinet, and of course, Master Goya having served as an Assistant Minister. Palapye constituency, which started off as Tswapong North, had Moutlakgola Nwako as its first MP, followed by Festus Mogae, Boyce Sebetela and Master Goya before Ramogapi took over in 2019. The latter was only appointed to Cabinet after the UDC took over power in last year’s historical opposition victory, ousting the government of the BDP from its 58 years of grip on power. Because of the nature of the Cabinet responsibilities, Palapye’s quintet legislators have, as a matter of duty, made public appearances dapperly attired.
Journals suggest that fashion has been a prominent aspect of human culture since ancient times. The way we dress has always been a reflection of our social status, cultural beliefs, and personal style. Throughout history, fashion has gone through various eras and clothing styles, each with its own unique characteristics and influences.
Ramogapi will definitely associate himself with this fashion statement from the fashion journals: “With great power comes a great-looking suit, and this time we’re talking all things checked. Checked suits have seen a revival of late; whether you’re going for vintage vibes or the Italian Spezzatura look, you’re guaranteed to look devilishly dapper in a classic checked three-piece.”
Parliamentary debate
Aside from his often comical-looking suits, Ramogapi has maintained a high level of debate, albeit his listeners are often fretted by the quality of content as he sounds more like a defender of the party policies. He can express himself more so but he speaks so loudly.
“Sometimes when I am on the floor of Parliament, I get so passionate, so much that I raise my voice. When debating issues, some of us sometimes get so spiritually carried away that we raise our voices like a pastor on the pulpit,” he concurs.
He has a strong and confident approach to debating, engaging in discussions and debates with fellow MPs. He has also shown enthusiasm and conviction when advocating for issues he cares about, such as development projects in his constituency.
“Overall, Ramogapi’s debating style is characterised by his confidence, passion and commitment to his constituents and promoting development in Botswana,” one of the critics suggested.
He has been the advocate for developments in Palapye like a critical one such as the construction of a hospital in the village and investment in internal roads to boost local economic growth. He had highlighted the potential of the P1.4 billion chemical plant in Palapye to create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
As the Minister of Water and Human Settlement, the legislator has outlined the ministry’s achievements in improving water access, sanitation and housing delivery, including the roll out of digital meters and a waiver on sanitation fees for certain villages. To his credit, the Minister has recognised that high water bills are a pressing concern for citizens and the ministry; he implemented measures such as a 30% reduction in water tariffs and a 50 % amnesty on overdue water bills to address this issue. His ministry has since announced a second 50 % amnesty on overdue water bills.
As a Minister of Water and Human Settlements, he has overseen the Bonno Housing National Programme, which has experienced teething problems with houses not being delivered at the promised pace. Ramogapi has faced challenges, including criticism over project delays and budget overruns.
Who is Ramogapi?
Ramogapi is a politician-cum-farmer-cum-businessperson. He cut his political teeth at the former ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in 2002 in Palapye. This is before he claimed he was approached by some people to contest for the party’s primary election in 2003, ahead of the General Election in 2004 for a council seat, which he would later win. He served just two (five-year) terms as a councillor from 2004 before he moved to the parliamentary level.
In 2014, he left the council to contest for a parliamentary ticket in the BDP primaries and lost to then incumbent, Master Goya. This did not dampen his spirit as he says, amongst others, he was driven by faith to try his luck again in the 2019 General Election and this time he had changed party colours, and he ran under the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) ticket.
He is steadfast that he won the 2019 parliamentary polls through his personal appeal and effort. Out of 10 possible councillors, the BCP of the UDC at the time had won only two seats. To him, losing eight council seats did not simply translate to his loss.
He concedes that during the counting period, his faith kept him “energised that victory was certain, albeit the loss of the eight council seats worried my supporters that victory was not on our side until we scooped it from the long winning BDP”.
Having been a councillor and the chairperson of the Palapye council, he trusted the people’s promises and clung to them. His best-kept secret was the audit he had done based on his true support base, as it told a story of clear victory. He had also done sufficient door-to-door campaigns, and the results of the exercise were so positive.
He was also elated that the teamwork displayed by the UDC MPs post 2029 General Election boosted efforts of the UDC during the subsequent by-elections’ campaigns post 2019 polls, majority of which were won by the UDC, setting a tone for the 2024 General Election, which delivered the party its dream of the government.
In 2022, Ramogapi was among the BCP’s four MPs who were expelled from the party for attending a UDC function when the party leadership wanted them to stay away.
The four MPs who were branded ‘Judas Iscariot’ include Ramogapi, David Tshere, Never Tshabang and Dithapelo Keorapetse. The UDC then had six MPs, including Yandani Boko and Motsamai Motsamai, after the departure of BCP MPs. Boko would later resign from politics to take up a job in the Foreign Service.
Ramogapi also conceded that the year 2024 initially appeared like a difficult year for them, then in the opposition UDC, “unbeknownst to us that we would enjoy the sympathy of the people who were impressed by our circumstances”.
One of the things that Ramogapi and his peers did was to share their shame with the constituents who tended to sympathise with them at the detriment of the BCP. He also shared his worst experience in local politics in the campaigns for the 2024 General Election as a direct member of the UDC. There was so much resistance in Palapye with some members of the parties affiliated to the UDC undermining his decision-making as a direct member, and people literally fighting for wards. The only push, he says, was that people were able to notice that victory was certain, and now they felt like they could do as they wished, but he was forced to maintain order against the wishes of some UDC diehards from other parties.
“Remember, as a direct member, I was granted the right to coordinate activities in Palapye constituency, even in identifying suitable candidates to ensure we win the constituency as we did.”
At some stage, Ramogapi reminisced that party posters were continuously torn and replaced by strange candidates, leaving Palapye people in a state of confusion and chaos.
He attributes the UDC’s failure to win more council seats in Palapye to the confusion that was perpetrated by some UDC members. The party has, however, learnt good lessons, which will help them when they prepare for the 2029 General Election.
It was not surprising that despite convincingly winning the parliamentary seat, the UDC only won five out of 16 possible council seats.
He is convinced that he works very well with all his councillors, indicating that parties’ affiliation is not a factor that gives them sleepless nights. Their focus, he says, it is on delivery.
“Even the constituency fund is shared equitably in the constituency as we work as a team for the developments in our area,” he emphasised.
Boikago ward councillor Mosotho Modirwa from the BNF of the UDC corroborates Ramogapi’s story: “Our relationship with our MP is so cordial. He has been available for all of us when his leadership is needed.” Modirwa’s position is that since Ramogapi is a UDC direct member, it doesn’t make him a lesser UDC member. “We are a stronger movement.” Serorome ward councillor Thabo Seomile of the BDP started working closely with MP Ramogapi in the year 2019 within Palapye.
He remembers the MP calling all the area councillors to a meeting in the village, whereupon he promised them his full support to the team, the majority of whom were not from his party.
“The good thing about the MP is that he never discriminates against councillors according to their political affiliation.” He stressed that the same attitude was carried into the current electoral cycle.
At a recent meeting, Ramogapi encouraged councillors to unite and ensure they serve the Palapye constituency.
“I find Ramogapi to be a unifying factor in the area. He is a fair leader who is not influenced by greed,” noted Seomile.
Explaining the magic of winning the elections, Ramogapi explained that voters want their MP’s presence, no matter how busy one is, humility, and regularly visiting the constituency and coming to the village kgotla to update the people on developments. He also indicated that one of the magic to the people is attending funerals regularly and understanding the needs of the people.
To him, attire speaks to the people, and how the MP speaks to the people, his smile, and his greetings are of utmost importance. He warns that as a leader, if one doesn’t take calls, “they form a perception against their leaders. You should never display being bigger than them (constituents), and one should always be there for them.” He also warns that one has to be nice to the people as he goes up the ladder, as one day one might find it difficult as he/she goes down the same political ladder.
His office, he says, is easily accessible by those who need all forms of assistance. Ramogapi likes friendship, and the fact that he left the BCP has not at all created any form of enmity with his former comrades.
He still thanks the BCP for offering him an opportunity to stand under the party ticket in 2019, and he won, laying a foundation for good political opportunities in future.
In his other life, Ramogapi is a farmer who rears cattle and small stock. He is also a businessman who plies his trade in the property space and runs a school. He is a football juggler of yesteryear at a local team, Dinkwana.
Ramogapi is a married man with four daughters, and since 1994, he has been a staunch member of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM).
He has shown keen interest in self-development, which has seen him rise from vocational training, where he studied construction, to reading for a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Management.
Besides his Diploma in Law, Ramogapi has opened an opportunity to read for a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, as he believes self-development is an endless process. No matter what opinion people really hold against his choice of suits, Ramogapi will never stop shopping for his favourite checked suits, as they are what make his brand tick.