Top 10 most influential politicians
Bame Piet | Friday September 12, 2014 15:35
Dr Margaret Nasha
First female Speaker of the National Assembly has worked in the civil service for more than three decades, as a journalist, diplomat and politician. She has held several ministerial positions amongst them Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Local government, and Lands and Housing. She is outspoken and commanded respect from both sides of Parliament for the tough yet fair manner in which she presided over proceedings. Under her, Parliament enforced several reforms that include use of latest technology by MPs, time management, and attendance. She had made it known she would want a second term as Speaker, but having fallen out of favour with the Botswana Democratic Party high office, chances are Nasha’s political career may just be over.
Daniel Kwelagobe
Joined the National Assembly in 1969. Whether or not his fire is still burning, Kwelagobe is an important factor in Botswana politics. He has served under the first presidents Sir Seretse Khama, Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae, the latter two who launched him in Molepolole recently. He also served under Ian Khama who seemingly did not want him in the party, or in government. His launch recently confirmed his undying popularity in the BDP Molepolole.
Lieutenant General Ian Khama
Being on the first part of his second term as the president, Khama has made newspaper headlines more than any of his predecessors. He wields power among the rural illiterate who see his programmes – blanket donations, ISPAAD, Ipelegeng, and diphaphatha as a source of happiness and hope. An observation by this publication found that Khama appears at least five times a week in the national television news bulletins. He dominates the front page of the Daily News, four out of the five times a week on average.
Duma Boko
A lawyer by profession, Boko has managed to unite and re-establish the Botswana National Front (BNF), which under Otsweletse Moupo leadership was reduced to a shadow of its former self. Once the party picked, the strategist moved to work and establish the Umbrella for Democratic Change with Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP). In fact the earlier rumblings over the umbrella from Boko’s party seems to have died down, as he leads a more stable and formidable UDC to the polls.
Dumelang Saleshando
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president joined the National Assembly in 2004 after beating Margaret Nasha in Gaborone Central, the constituency he held until August 29, 2014 when parliament was dissolved. For the 8th Parliament, he was the party’s sole MP. Although there are questions surrounding his family business ties with the Khamas, he has spoken publicly against practices by the Khama administration.
Isaac Mabiletsa
He has been in Parliament since 2004. He wielded respect from both sides of the House and when he is debating, he does not make allegations against anyone or entity without documentation or prove. He has criss-crossed the Parliament floor several times, from BNF to BCP, then back to BNF, and later BCP where he is currently settling. He has served in the SADC Parliamentary Forum and observed several elections in the SADC region.
Nehemiah Modubule
Has been a Member of Parliament for Lobatse since 1999 under the Botswana National Front. He came back in 2009 as an independent candidate after his squabbles with the BNF. He later joined the BMD that entered into a team with BNF to form UDC. The veteran politician has served in the Public Accounts Committee, SADC PF amongst others.
Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi
She has served in the civil service for more than two decades before joining politics. She has held a number of ministerial portfolios, ending at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development where she attracted a lot of criticism. Prior to that, she was also at the minister of Trade and Industry, and Minister of Communications, Science and Technology. She is the mastermind behind the infamous Media Practitioners Act of 2008.
Dorcas Makgato-Malesu
A newcomer into politics, through the specially elected card, Makgato-Malesu is an eloquent speaker who debates issues with well-researched backup. She beat Oreeditse Molebatsi in the Tswapong South constituency, the latter who had pleaded to God to shorten his life and give extra days to his Boss Ian Khama.
Pono Moatlhodi
He is one of the veterans of the National Assembly, ending his third term as Deputy Speaker, a big achievement for him. Some may consider him a ‘clown’, but he has spoken against unfair practices by the government under which he served, including the Jamataka settlement, telling Venson Moitoi to step down as minister of Education, condemning the December 2013 controversial petition that led to the postponement of Francistown West bye-election.