GS-26 claims UB power victory
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday April 21, 2026 11:21
Whilst Moono wa Baithuti clinched 12 out of the 13 contested Student Representative Council (SRC) seats, GS-26 emerged with the most coveted position, the presidency. For the BDP-aligned group, this victory outweighs the numerical disadvantage, as they view the presidency as the ultimate seat of influence within student governance.
“We may not have taken everything, but we secured what matters most,” GS-26 members argue, expressing confidence that the presidency will shape the direction of the council.
Furthermore, they believe history could repeat itself, with the opposition-dominated council eventually compelled to cooperate with the BDP-aligned president. At the centre of this outcome is Neville Sechele, who was elected SRC president after a decisive victory. Sechele garnered 1,637 votes, comfortably defeating his closest rival, Terrence Sonny, who secured 695 votes. The elections were held on Friday, with results announced the following Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Congress Party-aligned (BCP) Student Congress failed to win a single seat, continuing its long-standing struggles at UB, except during its brief cooperation with the UDC in past elections.
However, despite GS-26’s presidential win, the overall results point to a fiercely contested political landscape on campus. The relatively narrow margins in some races highlight the intensity of competition between the two dominant student movements. Reacting to the outcome, BDP executive secretary Ame Makoba described the victory as a turning point. “Youth still have trust in the BDP, especially since the UDC has failed to fulfil its promises. Again, this shows that the BDP is still strong as a party,” he said.
He stated that the results signal the party’s resurgence and renewed commitment to reclaim its former strength, adding that the win reflects growing confidence in both the candidate and the party.
On the other hand, the Botswana National Front Youth League president, Tumelo Legase, maintained that winning the majority of seats demonstrates Moono wa Baithuti’s enduring dominance. “Our UB structure is still solid and very strong. Again, we have learnt a lot in these elections. We have to keep on supporting our youth,” he said.
Legase said these student leaders represent the future of the movement, making it crucial to sustain their influence within campus structures.
Ultimately, whilst GS-26 celebrates control of the presidency, Moono wa Baithuti’s overwhelming majority sets the stage for a potentially tense but defining SRC term at UB.