‘Faka Pressure’: An auspicious schemer, a rising star
Ryder Gabathuse | Tuesday March 17, 2026 12:41
The Marapong-born Moalosi is known for his assertive and principled approach in the National Assembly. He is not afraid to speak his mind and challenge fellow MPs, including government ministers, on issues that matter to his constituents. For instance, he once clashed with Specially Elected MP, Pius Mokgware, but clarified it was purely on matters of principle and political strategy, not personal.
He is also a strong advocate for parliamentary procedure and has lodged formal complaints when he felt rules were being disregarded. He has pushed back against amendments to his motions that alter their original intent, citing breaches of standing orders. He once petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly over the amended motion, arguing it distorted his original intention to create a software development hub at the University of Botswana. He was fuming that the Deputy Speaker’s decision to allow the amendment was procedurally flawed and set a wrong precedent.
In the last polls, Moalosi toppled a former colleague in the BCP who had chosen to remain at the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and contested under the now ruling coalition ticket (Dr Never Tshabang). Now, Moalosi seems to have learnt a lot from the former MP, who was a fiery firebrand in his consistent articulation of issues in the constituency and when generally debating national issues in the National Assembly. Tshabang was also a marvel to watch even at political rallies. The latter has since been appointed as the CEO of Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA). It’s unfortunate there can’t be two winners in the polls in one area. The two politicians, who for some time were colleagues at the University of Botswana (UB) where they both lectured, fought with everything at their disposal and one winner was finally announced. For the duo, there was a lot at stake considering that Tshabang was one of the quartet politicians who had chosen to ditch the BCP when it walked out of the coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) arrangement. Others include Onneetse Ramogapi (Palapye), David Tshere (Mahalapye West) and Dithapelo Keorapetse (now Speaker of the National Assembly). Their colleague, Kenny Kapinga (Okavango West), was quick to sense that operating outside the BCP rendered him vulnerable hence, he reneged on his earlier intention and reconciled with the Dumelang Saleshando-led BCP.
In debates, Moalosi is passionate and well-researched and has often focused on issues like industrial hemp, water access and tribal territories. His approach has earned him both praise and criticism, but he remains staunch in representing his constituents’ interests.
BCP opposition whip Caterpillar Hikuama, also MP for Maun West, considers Moalosi a rising star of their movement.
“A cornerstone of the BCP’s youth leadership. He has quickly proven himself to be one of the most resourceful cadres in the party. His background in ICT provides a unique, modern edge to his role as opposition MP and shadow minister for Communication and Innovation.”
His role and brilliance allows him to navigate the complexities of 21st-century governance with ease, according to the Maun West legislator. Hikuaka says, besides Moalosi’s age, his dedication is ‘old school’. In the BCP caucus, he is celebrated for his stamina in lengthy debates and his steadfast commitment to party agreements.
“He isn’t just a young MP; he is a promising strategist with immense growth potential. He never disappoints when it comes to attendance at Parliament business and party affairs,” Hikuama tells Mmegi.
Moalosi looks up to his grandfather Jackson Keetile Malikongwa as his role model. Even though he never met him physically, as he died 10 years before he was born, he claims his exploits are legendary, especially as a great spokesperson of the Nswazwi people during their skirmishes with Tshekedi Khama.
“His bravery was legendary. My activism is influenced by this man,” he adds. Moalosi, who often goes by the moniker Bushdoctor, which he explains is a name that was generated by unavoidable circumstances. When his then Form 4 Biology teacher asked the students to introduce themselves in his class, Moalosi introduced himself as Bushdoctor and the name caught up.
Just this week, his 11-year-old son showed signs of interest in politics at that young age.
“He makes a lot of political commentary. If he doesn’t change his mind he will one day run for Parliament.” In overall, his children are still quite young, but they understand he has to be away sometimes to attend to constituency issues.
His spouse is not interested in politics because she is currently a civil servant. But, she is supportive and would be happier, “if I could spend more time at home helping with the chores and the children”.
The outspoken MP has consistently articulated issues bedevilling his constituency, such as the Tribal Territories Act, which he thinks perpetuates inequality amongst tribes under the vast Bangwato administration. He has also been talking about land servicing, road infrastructure, water and sanitation, healthcare, human-wildlife conflict, immigration, citizenship and others. He has been calling for reforms, particularly regarding the Tribal Territory Act.
He bemoans the reality that his constituency doesn’t have potable water in some parts, especially in the villages of Nkange, Changate, Senete and some parts of Tutume.
There is also a problem of elephants that roam the constituency, destroying people’s crops in the western belt of the area from Maitengwe all the way to Mosope near Marapong. He is worried that the Wildlife office is ill-equipped and under-resourced to do anything about it.
“Land allocation is also a big issue with long waiting lists in almost all the villages. People are not accessing plots, which leads to a lot of interpersonal conflicts in parents’ homes,” says Moalosi.
“I believe I have always been political. I remember back in junior secondary school, I was voted to be a student representative, but because teachers had wanted someone else, I never got to do the job I was voted for. The same thing happened at senior secondary school,” he chronicles how he cut his political teeth. “I have always been a reader and a follower of current affairs. I guess that is what ignited a political spark in me.”
Moalosi had a brief stop as a lecturer at the University of Botswana (UB) for three years in the department of Computer Science. “Speaking in a room full of young, inquisitive minds helped with gaining confidence when speaking to a large audience. I no longer get goose bumps.”
He is confident that the BCP in Nkange is very organised, “and we have selfless volunteers who will do anything to grow the brand”.
Marapong, Moalosi’s home village, responded with ululations and whistling when their son of the soil, MP Moalosi, was declared the winner of the constituency in the 2024 General Election.
Motor vehicles’ honks were pitched the loudest, and the whole village went crazy celebrating the computer scientist who had abandoned the science labs for the trenches.
“Everyone was happy. My friends organised a homecoming party in December 2024,” reminisces a scientist-cum-politician. He is confident that his people in a Kalanga-dominated village will support him as long as he represents them to the best of his ability.
Moalosi attended his primary and secondary schools in Marapong at Marapong Primary School and John Nswazwi Junior Secondary School, respectively, before he went to Tutume for his senior secondary education at Tutume McConnell College.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Botswana and a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST). Moalosi is the fifth legislator for Nkange constituency since independence in 1966, as before him, there was Obed Chilume, Ambrose Masalila, Edwin Batshu, Never Tshabang and then him.
There was every reason Marapong villagers celebrated him the more. Chilume originated from Marapong but had relocated to Tutume because of his businesses; Masalila originates from Nswazwi, Batshu and Tshabang from Maitengwe. Marapong is now competing with the rest of the villages making up Nkange constituency for the attention of the young scientist who did them proud in 2024, bringing the crown back home He acknowledges that most of the BCP activists are in it for the love of the party and will spend their time and finances to grow the party.
Just to illustrate this, at his launch in 2025, the party activists donated five cows, amongst other things. This, he insists, is unlike many constituencies where candidates have to foot the bill for almost everything.
He is not shocked that the BCP won eight out of the 15 wards in Nkange in the last polls. This attributes to the team he is leading, which he describes as a close-knit family. He relates very well with all the councillors in his area, and they assist him a lot in delivering his mandate. He believes the over 12 months he spent with them before the elections cemented their relationship. The BCP, he is hopeful, will win all the wards in Nkange in the 2029 General Election. “We have made a lot of inroads in wards that we lost. We have identified why we lost them, and we are working very hard to overturn our fortunes.” Growing up in his home village of Marapong, which is part of the wider Nkange constituency, the legislator wasn’t certain about his career choice. He was just a brilliant student who had a whole future ahead of him. One of his teachers at senior secondary school had advised him to be a chartered accountant, and that was what he wanted to do at the University, but when he went to apply, his cousin coerced him into doing Sciences. he ended up doing Computer Science. What drove Moalosi into active politics?
“I can’t pinpoint anything. I have always been politically conscious. At university, I was active in student politics, working in the background to help the team I supported to win.”In his constituency, Moalosi has advocated for infrastructure development and the creation of job opportunities for the thousands of unemployed youths. He holds the view that all young people should either be employed or in school.
One of his achievements would be to get the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education to do emergency maintenance at John Nswazwi Junior Secondary School, which was ignored for years.
This, he admits, came about after he had written an open letter to the Minister. “I continue to interact with the people, and they really do appreciate that.” He asserts that the biggest problem right now is that the government’s purse is empty, so nothing much is being done. However, he would really love to see more investments in vocational training focusing on out-of-school youth, especially those who failed forms 3 and 5. Actually, he wishes there were a clear TVET (Technical Vocational and Education Training) pathway. He has a wish to have five brigades in his area, well-resourced to cater for the young people in his constituency. As an entrepreneur himself, Moalosi‘s wish is to see young people in self-employment. He runs the Precision Vehicle And Asset Tracking business, which is considered a leading provider of vehicle tracking services in the country.
In the National Assembly, Moalosi holds a strong view that legislators from across the aisle relate very well. They fight on the floor of Parliament but are very friendly to each other outside. “There is no animosity that one can pick,” he emphasises. The biggest issue in his constituency is lack of employment and economic activities in the constituency. This, he says, needs to change.
“We have presented a lot of motions, and some have passed. Some have not passed because they are not good but because UDC plays politics,” he bemoans the situation.
By virtue of his position as a legislator, Moalosi is an ex officio member of the party regional committee, constituency committee and ward committees. He is part of the BCP parliamentary caucus, where he is able to express himself and get his views out there.
He also attends leadership forums where he is able to share his views and influence party positions on a number of topics. He has been married for 20 years now with two children. He is an atheist. His take is that everyone is born an atheist; “they are then socialised into a religion. I was never socialised into any religion”. However, he relates well with everyone regardless of their religion, emphasising that atheism demands that people treat each other with respect. He is not a sport person per se but follows motorsport.