Mophuting-Dikoloti: A devoted Pan Africanist, global politics enthusiast
Ryder Gabathuse | Tuesday April 21, 2026 11:36
Mophuting-Dikoloti, the Assistant Minister for State President, Defense and Security, had a jagged trudge to the National Assembly. She was one of the few women politicians who had won tickets to represent their respective political parties, going on to win the Gaborone Bonnington North constituency under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) ticket. She is one of the only three women MPs in the 13th Parliament, forming part of the 61 directly elected members. Others directly elected women are deputy Speaker, Helen Pushie Manyeneng of the UDC member party, the Alliance for Progressives (AP) and the Mother of the House, Unity Dow from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). The 13th Parliament has three other, especially elected women, MPs - Cabinet members; Bogolo Kenewendo, Lesego Chombo, and Nono Kgafela-Mokoka Mophuting-Dikoloti’s primary party is the Botswana NationalFront (BNF), which is in a coalition partnership with the AP and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP).
In the 2024 BNF primaries, she beat former Gaborone Mayor Kagiso Thutlwe and veteran politician Professor Motsumi Marobela in one of the BNF acrimonious primaries for Bonnington North. Primary election “favouritism” accusations would surface, which seemingly ‘quenched’ Mophuting-Dikoloti’s hard-earned victory. Loosers, Thutlwe and Marobela, accused her of being favored by President Duma Boko. She would later address the accusations openly, saying Boko supports women in leadership but “does not have the authority to dictate to members which candidate they should vote into a position”. It was, however, the legislator’s strong contention that she was not granted any form of favor but worked her way together with the party faithful to earn the 2024 victory. Based on her record in the National Assembly, Mophuting-Dikoloti has been active and vocal in parliamentary debates since taking office in 2024 as the only woman directly elected in the 2024 polls from the BNF stable. She uses debates to push social justice and constituency issues.
In her last State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) debate, she praised government moves like raising old-age pensions, introducing child support grants, water-bill amnesty, and reforming Ipelegeng into skills-based opportunities. She framed success as “measured by the lives it touched, especially the voiceless, powerless, and vulnerable”. She has consistently raised Bonnington North issues, inter alia, Phase 2 Clinic needing refurbishment, ambulance/staff shortages, medicine supply gaps, dilapidated school infrastructure, and drug abuse affecting youth. The legislator has spoken on strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, curbing illicit financial flows, and reforms in mining, agriculture, and digital sectors. She frames government as needing to choose “people over profit, compassion over convenience, and legacy over popularity”. Her legislative focus includes Gender-Based-Violence (GBV) and youth inclusion and enhancement of local manufacturing.
So far, she is known for debating from a people-centred, social-justice angle, and she frequently ties national policy back to Bonnington North’s practical needs. She is described as a newcomer to politics whose win was a surprise, and she campaigned on “a fresh new style of leadership and excellent governance mechanisms”. She is also viewed as a social justice advocate and entrepreneur. The legislator is also recognised as a women’s development advocate, founder of Unwavering Trust and a proponent of community empowerment. She is hailed for her active involvement in community empowerment programmes, including launching entrepreneurship initiatives for youth. Last year in her constituency, the Assistant Minister, in collaboration with market players, took a bold step towards youth empowerment.
She launched what she called Gaborone Bonnington North Youthpreneur Challenge. The challenge was responding to Botswana’s rising youth unemployment rate, currently at about 38 % by leveraging public leadership and entrepreneurial innovation to unlock the economic potential of young people in the constituency. She describes her role as a “mouthpiece for local interest”, who puts constituents’ needs first in decision-making. As Assistant Minister for State President, Defense and Security, and one of only three elected women MPs, she has positioned herself as advocating for marginalised groups, women, and youth. So far, she is known for debating from a people-centred, social-justice angle, and she frequently ties national policy back to Bonnington North’s practical needs. Based on her record in Botswana’s National Assembly, Mophuting-Dikoloti has been active and vocal in parliamentary debates since taking office in 2024.
Mmegi/The Monitor political writer Tsaone Basimanebotlhe this week said about Mophuting-Dikoloti: ”Whether one admires or hates her, the Assistant Minister stands out as a distinctive figure in politics, particularly when viewed through the lens of Karl Marx’s theory of class relations and grassroots mobilisation.” In this regard, the scribe says the Assistant Minister’s political approach reflects a strong connection with ordinary people, especially the elderly, who form a significant social bloc within the broader political structure. “To begin with, unlike many women who rise through long established political ranks, Mophuting-Dikoloti’s political journey traces back to the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).” To the writer, this background, therefore, placed Mophuting-Dikoloti within a different political foundation before she later joined the BNF.
However, she notes that the legislator’s time within the BNF has been relatively short. Even so, she notes that her name rose to prominence in 2023 when she contested in the party’s primary elections against candidates widely regarded as deeply rooted and influential within party structures. “Nevertheless, despite being perceived as an outsider, Mophuting-Dikoloti demonstrated that political power is not only built through long-standing party loyalty. Instead, and consistent with Marxist thinking, influence can emerge from effectively mobilising particular social groups,” Basimanebotlhe added. She also highlighted that in the case of the Assistant Minister, her strength lies in her connection with the elderly. “Notably, during the BNF primaries, a large share of her supporters came from this demographic, highlighting her ability to unite and inspire them.” Another strength underlined by Basimanebotlhe is the politician’s capacity to bring people together, which people could only be underestimated at their own peril.
Although she is a reserved individual who values her personal space, this does not diminish her political strength. While she may appear quiet and composed, the legislator is hailed for possessing a firm inner resolve. Consequently, despite her reserved nature, she emerges as a silent fighter, one who advances her agenda with determination rather than noise. In addition, Mophuting-Dikoloti’s leadership style differs from those who rely heavily on visibility and extensive networks. She is calm, not overly talkative, and does not depend on a wide circle of allies to assert her influence. “Recently, for example, she has been actively involved in supporting her party through the BNF Women’s League, where she has contributed to mobilsing women and strengthening grassroots participation,” noted the political scribe. The political scribe also indicated that the Assistant Minister’s continued proximity to her constituents reinforces her image as a leader grounded in the realities of the people she represents.
From a Marxist perspective, this reflects a sustained relationship with the grassroots base rather than a shift toward elite detachment. “Ultimately, Mophuting-Dikoloti’s political journey illustrates that influence is not merely a product of longevity or loudness, but of resilience, strategic mobilisation, and meaningful connections with key social groups. Therefore, her rise represents a compelling example of how quiet strength and grassroots engagement can reshape political dynamics.” Meanwhile, party and Cabinet colleague Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa speaks highly about Mophuting-Dikoloti. ”I know her very well as a friend and comrade who is a passionate, principled politician, down to earth , comes from a supportive family.
She is one of those who brings integrity to the politics of this country. I collaborate and dialogue more with her on Pan African politics and global politics because she is a devoted Pan Africanist.” He said the Assistant Minister has extensive professional experience in Botswana and South Africa and impressive leadership accomplishments in business and philanthropy with strong diplomatic skills. The Assistant Minister for State President, Dfence and Security has a diverse career which includes property development and real estate, an illustrious career in marketing and corporate communications’, web content writer (Content Developer), image consultancy and executive coaching to some notable Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers in the Republic of South Africa,Provincial MECs and Business Women. “She is the founder of Unwavering Trust, an organisation devoted to transforming the lives of women and endeavouring to countervail the ravishes of feminisation of poverty, and amongst the organisation’s advisory board are executive female leaders in the corporate world, business and politics. As a charitable cause activist, she is a Trustee of Goshen Foundation, a non-profit organisation whose primary objective is offering holistic care and support for socially and economically challenged elderly people, orphans and vulnerable children and children born in prisons,” Motshegwa told Mmegi this week. He added that the Assistant Minister has worked extensively with numerous charitable organisations dealing with orphans and vulnerable children, adults, and children living with HIV/AIDS, children with disabilities and rural and underprivileged women.
Her tenure as a board member at One in One Out Foundation (South Africa) included assisting the Board’s fundraising planning, activities and penned (grant-writing) numerous donor funded proposals and successfully secured funding for those projects and initiatives. “She has been mentored and trained by some prominent women within the ANC Women’s League, NEC and the mainstream ANC national executive committee, holding Cabinet positions, as well as acclaimed and renowned anti apartheid activist Dr Khanyisile Lichfield Tshabalala, former Umkhonto WeSizwe freedom fighter and combatant, first woman to be promoted to the rank of admiral in the history of South Africa’s Navy’s existence and former Member of Parliament under EFF,” he added. This week in Parliament, the Assistant Minister got a sterner test to her disposition when two main opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) stalwarts, Leader of Opposition (LoO) in Parliament, Dumelang Saleshando and Opposition Whip, Carter Hikuama took turns bashing the UDC government for what they termed monarchical-style governance practices ignoring the top performing countries like Japan, Norway amongst others versus the government’s choice monarchical countries. The accusations were prompted by the government’s choice to house the Sovereign Wealth Fund under the presidency and not at the Ministry of Finance as Saleshando suggests it fit. The other contention relates to the alleged secretive appointment of the CEO and board members of the Fund, also challenging the requisite staff competencies. Hikuama buttressed that the appointments were not merit-based and lacked transparency and were undemocratic. He even feared that such appointments reflect a departure from democratic and are devoid of merit. The Assistant Minister, who was acting for the substantive Minister, Moeti Mohwasa, proved her mettle even under immense pressure and maintained calmness explaining the position of her government.
Her position was that the government had followed due processes in the appointment of the CEO and the board of the fund. “The selection process was followed, and candidates were identified through existing governance structures and vetted appropriately,” she addressed Parliament. She may have not provided the best answers, but her composure and deportment generally said it all. Saleshando would later attempt to dislodge the Assistant Minister by telling her: “ ...My dear Beyonce, you look good, but you failed to answer. In your response, you implied that the President has powers, which we don’t deny”. Saleshando likened the Assistant Minister to American singer-songwriter and actress, Beyoncé Knowles because of her prettiness.
“I never said I am Beyoncé, LoO,” she snapped and further coolly explicated to Saleshando all the steps taken by the UDC government, albeit, the LoO was not agreeable to the manner in which the government appointed both the CEO and board. She holds a Bachelor of Arts International Studies degree from Monash University and an MA in Development Studies from the University of Sussex. Before politics, she worked in advisory roles, often behind the scenes with female politicians in Cape Town. She’s also been active with Botswana Red Cross Society. The Assistant Minister is also hailed for her active role in youth empowerment, gender equality, citizen-led development, and the rights of marginalised groups. She is a known advocate for Education-with-Production, STEAM curriculum, healthcare access for non communicable diseases (NCDs), and curbing illicit financial flows. She is a member of the African Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation (APNIFFT). In April 2025, she was elected to the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians at the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Tashkent. She is a recipient of the 2024 Global Icon Award in Doha, Qatar, as a Women’s Development Advocate.
She was also elected to the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians at the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Tashkent in April 2025, which works to ensure women’s issues are part of IPU priorities Mophuting-Dikoloti’s professional life according to journals has two distinct phases; pre-politics/advisory work and current political career; she has read for International Studies, a multidisciplinary degree covering politics, economics, communications, foreign policy, governments, and business practices of sovereign states. She previously was active as a Botswana Red Cross Society volunteer. On the floor of Parliament, Mophuting-Dikoloti has not yet sparked a major floor controversy or been disciplined for un-parliamentary conduct. Most ‘controversy’ around her relates to pre-Parliament disputes and her clash with the Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) that followed her into her role as Assistant Minister for State President. In 2020-2021, before becoming MP, Mophuting-Dikoloti ran for BRCS presidency but was ‘disqualified’ for not meeting the two-year membership requirement. She took BRCS to court and got an interdict halting elections, leading to a protracted legal battle. Arbitration later ruled against her. As a C
she was implicated in internal BRCS fights. A petition by volunteers or ex-employees calling for suspension of BRCS secretary-general Kutlwano Mukokomani and senior managers over alleged corruption was reportedly handed to her, but BRCS management dismissed the petition as a “political smear campaign” and raised concerns about political interference from the legislator given her well-documented history of disputes with the BRCS.