Motsholapheko still resolute to win Mmadinare
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday July 11, 2014 14:43
Furthermore, he said could not just sit back and watch even though he is competent enough to represent his party. Motsholapheko, born in Sefhophe 50 years ago, contested twice and lost against the outgoing area Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe. He won 1,137 votes in 2004 and increased the margin to 2,540 in 2009. He said even though he has lost to Kedikilwe in past elections, he is motivated to continue trying because he believes in competition. “There was no one who was prepared to contest against Kedikilwe from the opposition or as an independent, so I felt it was my duty to play the role.
“It is still the case now. I want to give Mmadinare electorates a choice, and a quality choice for that matter,” he added.
He said his love for serving people is something else that motivated him to stand in the upcoming elections. This time, Motsholapheko will face off against the ruling party’s Kefentse Mzwinila.
Asked how he fancies his chance of winning this time, he said: “To be honest, chances are 50/50. Anyone of us could win this and I am hopeful that it will be me so that people can taste and experience the meaning of representation.” He added that the although the electorate is responding well to his campaign, his main problem is his lack of resources that would enable him to interact more with his supporters. “Otherwise, I would be sure of a win. Once people get to know me they will undoubtedly know that I can make a good representative,” he added.
Though he is determined to go to Parliament, he intends to serve for only one term. Motsholapheko joined BCP in 1998 upon its formation while he was still working for Debswana Mine in Jwaneng.
Before then, he was a card carrying Botswana National Front (BNF) member, having joined in 1984 in Selebi-Phikwe before he became a civil servant.
He said BCP intends to emphasise more on mineral beneficiation once it assumes power. His main duty is now to prepare Mmadinare constituency so that it is in a position to attract investors that would be involved in the beneficiation set up there.
He said this would be done through ensuring that there is adequate servicing of industrial, commercial and residential plots.
“Should it happen that BCP does not assume power this year, but I get elected into Parliament, I will continue to advocate for mineral beneficiation,” he said.
His other priorities are to advocate for reduction of poverty levels in his constituency by creating employment opportunities and also advocating for the setting up of factories for livestock and farm products.
He emphasised that there are so many jobs that can be created from agricultural products, especially in his constituency.
“Once you are able to provide sustainable employment, then there will be an economic multiplier effect and poverty reduction,” he said. His said his other priority area is in advocating for a reformed education system that is accessible, free and compulsory.
He added that education should be a tool that aids in changing behaviour and mindsets. He said the current education system only serves to produce job seekers, not job providers.
“If you take the Ministry of Agriculture for instance, you find that there are so many PhD holders. They are all scrambling to become directors and permanent secretaries, but you will never come across a farm or a ranch producing quality products belonging to a PhD holder. “Education must set us free from hunger, not just a question of certification,” he argued. He further asserted that the government of the day should provide education that teaches methods of utilising mineral resources such as copper, nickel and diamonds. He said youth today should be able to discuss ways of adding value to locally produced minerals rather than be afraid of talking about them.
He said challenges that are common in his constituency include; shortage of water in an area surrounded by dams supplying the southern parts of the country, mismanagement of human/wildlife conflict and the poor state of infrastructure.
“Other people are developing ways of reaching other planets, while we are still struggling to access some villages after 48 years of independence,” he said.
As a politician and a candidate, Motsholapheko said he faces lack of resources, especially money to effectively carry out his campaigns. He said the constituency is very wide to cover, thus the need for more money for fuel, campaign materials and meals for the team. “BDP is using public resources to campaign and they are dishing out campaign materials in the form of blankets.
“These things make it difficult to penetrate the ruling party, but we will never give up. We have to use the little resources we have for the sake of democracy,” he said.
Motsholapheko worked briefly for BCL mine in 1982 before joining the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) as a trainee boiler and turbine operator. He then joined the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) in 1984 and worked for there for 14 years. He then enrolled for a certificate and diploma in wildlife management at the College of African Wildlife Management in Moshi, Tanzania from 1994 to 1997.
Debswana Mine then employed him as a Bio-diversity Conservation Officer until he became self-employed in 2011.
He is currently developing a game farm and a snake farm at Lehiswane in Sefhophe. He also assists with management plans for game farming and ranching.
A member of Sefhophe Development Society, he is currently assisting the community to establish a trust that would generate revenue for the village.