Political parties wrap up parliamentary candidates� launch

Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday August 6, 2014 16:39

On Saturday the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) launched its Francistown East candidate Buti Billy in a lukewarm occasion. This was the party’s final launch in the northern city.  A former Francistown mayor and a councillor in his second term, Billy has displayed confidence in his leadership abilities, expressing that he will beat his competitors Botswana Congress Party (BCP) candidate Morgan Moseki and United Democratic Change (UDC)  representative Theresa Mmolawa.

So far the BCP and BDP have launched candidates in all the three constituencies in the city. The UDC is yet to complete its launches.

The UDC currently holds the Francistown South constituency while the BDP holds the Francistown East and the BCP has Francistown West.

Apart from Francistown West, which is considered a BDP stronghold, other constituencies are considered marginal.

Only UDC’s Wynter Mmolotsi has been officially introduced to voters in Francistown South. UDC Francistown West parliamentary candidate Shatiso Tambula will be launched on August 16. The party will launch Francistown East  candidate Mmolawa on August 24.

The UDC recently communicated that it has suspended party related activities following the untimely death of its Secretary General Gomolemo Motswaledi.

Meanwhile, when completing BCP launches over the weekend, party leader Dumelang Saleshando said he believes that the parliamentary candidate for Francistown Dr Habaudi Hobona deserves another chance. “During her short stint in parliament she has established herself as one of the most vocal, active and intelligent individuals in parliament. She deserves a full term,” he said.

Saleshando also urged residents to support women in politics by voting for  deserving women like Hobona. He further said the BDP led government has disappointed Francistown West residents, as they still live in palpable poverty and some lack basic amenities across the several low-income locations.

Hobona has been in parliament since the beginning of the year after defeating UDC’s Shatiso Tambula in the by-elections earlier in the year.