Ten things perculiar about the 10th Parley
Bame Piet | Friday August 15, 2014 11:55
* The first time the position of Leaders of Opposition was occupied by three different people – Olebile Gaborone, Botsalo Ntuane, Dumelang Saleshando.
* The first time the Botswana Democratic Party split (2010). In the 45-year history, the ruling party, which was formed in 1965, split leading to the formation of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). Some disgruntled members of the party, including five Members of Parliament, relocated to the BMD amid an exchange of accusations between them and their former colleagues in the BDP.
* The first time three MPs die during a parliamentary term: The then minister of Finance and Development Planning, also MP for Tonota North, Baledzi Gaolathe died in May 2010 after long illness. Assistant minister of Local Government Maxwell Motowane died in December 2012 after a short illness, and MP for Francistown West and BDP Chief Whip Tshelang Masisi died in August 2013 after long illness.
* The first time there was a set of families in the House: Dumelang Saleshando and his father, Gilson Saleshando; Tshelang Masisi and his younger brother Mokgweetsi Masisi, Ian Khama and his younger brother Tshekedi Khama.
* The first time that Speaker of the national assembly is a woman: In three-four decade long career in the public service at different levels, including several ministerial positions, Dr Margaret Nasha made history as the first woman to lead as the Speaker of the National Assembly. While it is an ancient tradition that the Speaker’s position is held by a member of the ruling party, and Nasha being one of them, members from both sides of the floor praised her as impartial and professional in handling the parliamentary debates. At times there were frictions, heated exchanges, and childish behaviour by some MPs, but she prevailed over any situation.
* Movement of MPs; the first time members of Parliament move from the ruling party to opposition and back to the ruling party. Phillip Makgalemele, Patrick Masimolole joined the BMD and back to BDP within the space of two months. Then Guma Moyo joined the BMD and back to the BDP. Then Botsalo Ntuane and Odirile Motlhale retraced their footsteps back to their party.
* First time an opposition MP assumes the post of Deputy Speaker of the national assembly. Pono Moatlhodi left the BDP following his defeat in the Bulela Ditswe primary elections after complaining that he had been cheated. His appeal was dismissed and he looked for a new home in the opposition ranks – Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
* The first time six cabinet ministers were voted out during party primary elections. They are Lebonaamang Mokalake, Ndelu Seretse, Peter Siele, Rev Dr John Seakgosing, Dr Gloria Somolekae, Phandu Skelemani, and Oreeditse Molebatsi.
* First time a cabinet minister resigns to join opposition: In 2011 then assistant minister of Local Government Kentse Rammidi resigned from his position to join the Botswana National Front, and later left the party to join Botswana Congress Party. He said that he was unhappy with the manner in which the government was doing things and the direction the country was taking under the leadership of President Ian Khama.
* First female opposition MP; Dr Habaudi Hobona was elected as Francistown West MP in a bye-election following the death of Tshelang Masisi. The bye-election was marred in controversy after the ruling party failed to resolve its internal squabbles emanating from a disputed primary election between Ignatius Moswaane and Whyte Marobela. The latter approached the High Court, which barred the BDP from contesting the election. The government then postponed the bye-election from December to February this year.