Francistown councillors: How they fared

Chakalisa Dube | Friday September 26, 2014 16:40

 

The councillors are awarded stars on a scale of one to 10 in relation to their effectiveness during that period.

Shadrack Nyeku****

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC),

Phillip Matante East Ward

During his stint as mayor, before paving way for Botswana Congress Party’s (BCP) Ephraim Maiketso in 2012, Nyeku proved his leadership qualities.  He was not only articulate, but also epitomised diplomacy, which is a key ingredient for any political leader.

Perhaps his most memorable achievement as mayor was overseeing the handover of infrastructure projects in Monarch and Gerald Estates in 2010.  Otherwise the council achieved little under Nyeku’s mayorship, probably because the country was still emerging from the financial crisis.

When he returned to his original role of councillor, after paving way for Maiketso, Nyeku became one of the good contributors during council proceedings.

 

Stanley Masalila *****

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP),

Tati Town Ward

Masalila is one of the councillors who will not be defending their seat.  At times he was lost during debates and general proceedings.  He was time and again chided by other councillors particularly Ben Mpotokwane, for bringing less researched motions, but all-in-all Masalila was not a very bad representative for both the city council and the electorates in Tati Town.  During his tenure he was recalled as deputy mayor for incompetence.  Ephraim Maiketso replaced him.

 

Johnson Moremi **

BDP, Moselewapula Ward

One would be forgiven for thinking councillor Moremi’s reticence was due to bad breath and his reluctance to pollute the August chambers.

He rarely opened his mouth.  The only time he did was when in support of motions by his BDP colleagues.

 

Ace Ntheetsang *****

BDP, Kanana Ward

With his first name usually associated with dribbling wizards on the football pitch, Ntheetsang however, had somewhat an average stay at the council.

Though some say his popularity in his ward has taken a knock, often times Ntheetsang was determinedly vociferous about the concerns of his ward.

He recently exploded in the council chambers over what he termed overpricing of industrial plots in his area. “No. This is not right at all.  This overpricing is going to scare away investors,” he decried.

 

Kays Phitshana ******

Botswana Congress Party (BCP),

Botsalano Ward

The soubriquet ‘Madala’ bestowed on him by his fawning peers suited him very well with the all white hair. 

The often-sagacious Phitshana knew how to parry missiles thrown his way by some daring councillors during debates and general proceedings.  Actually, he was fairly impressive despite his age.

Comparatively, he demonstrated traits of a good leader and debater during proceedings, though at times he seemed to veer off track into the bush.

The sage that he was played father figure to the likes of cantankerous Ignatius Moswaane and equally short-fused Tabengwa Tabengwa during debates.  On several occasions, he would mediate in blistering wars particularly between Moswaane and Tabengwa.

 

Raoboy G Mpuang *******

BDP, Monarch East Ward

He was the youngest councillor at the FCC council chambers, aptly and affectionately called ‘Boy-Boy’ by fellow councillors.

Mpuang has not done badly in the chambers.  He participated handsomely during debates and council activities.  Although often times he would be scolded for deviating from a subject on the table, Mpuang was one of the good additions at FCC.

He has chosen not to contest as councillor at this year’s general polls after only one term.

 

Godfrey Kaelo ****

BDP, Monarch West Ward

He had been at the council chambers for a little over two years after replacing the late Shah Jack.  But in that time he struggled to cope with the militancy of other councillors.

At times he would be so lost during proceedings that he would simply erupt and speak out of turn.  One such time was when he heard that a project was ‘ongoing’. He would abruptly demand to know where it (project) was going. “E ya kae? (Where is it going?)” he asked.  It took placating from a bemused neighbour for Kaelo to calm down.

Otherwise there were sparks of good leadership in him, especially when it came to fighting for his constituents.

 

Ignatius Moswaane ********

BDP, former Monarch South Ward councillor,

who resigned late last year

He was probably the most effective councillor at the chambers before he resigned in the middle of his term late last year.Moswaane exhibited the kind of credentials required of a politician.  Tricky, militant, assertive and many more. These are the words that succinctly describe Moswaane as a politician.

He was a good contributor who always brought well-researched motions. Perhaps his undoing was that at times he would appear to go overboard with his militancy.

 He even resorted to vulgarities during proceedings. Although he displayed valour, with a good dose of intelligence when debating on several occasions, Moswaane proved hard to control during proceedings.

 

Ephraim Saombona Maiketso *******

BCP, Francistown Central Ward

Maiketso was not one of the very articulate speakers at the council, but arguably among the most intelligent. When he opened his mouth, with his shrill voice, be sure that he will say something sensible accompanied by a few jabs towards his colleagues.

He must want to forget the time he was booted out as mayor three months into his term.  His ousters said he was incompetent, but Maiketso was not a bad performer at all. He may have been still assessing the terrain as in those three months he was still a relative novice mayor.

Definitely for him, he may have been still trying to play his cards close to his chest without realising that his opponents were about to checkmate him. 

 

Albert Mosojane ***

BDP, Government Camp Ward

He was another councillor who had a quiet stint in the five years he was at the chambers. 

He seldom participated in debates and most council activities open to the media at the chambers.

Perhaps he spoke behind closed doors during council committee meetings, which are held away from prying eyes.

 

Ben Mpotokwane ******

BCP, Donga Ward

Quite a serious character, Mpotokwane seldom took part in nasty activities of other councillors at the chambers like his peers. 

He only partook in activities that were relevant for the upliftment of his constituents and city in general. 

No doubt he was a good representative of his people. 

Professor Lazarus Tlou *****

BCP, Itekeng Ward

Tlou started very well at the council, debating motions and contributing with utmost diligence and decorum, but he seemed f his term.  Of recent he lost his cool during debates, to the point where he walked out during the proceedings much to the chagrin of onlookers.

 

James Kgalajwe ********

BDP, Mayor, Satellite North Ward

Definitely one of the star performers.  He was vocal and made intelligent contributions. 

When he took over as Mayor, Kgalajwe found what was to be a hallowed place turned topsy-turvy by truant councillors who behaved like schoolboys and girls without a prefect.

However, Kgalajwe managed to bring them under control.  As a councillor he has probably been on par with Moswaane and Tabengwa who were star performers at the council.

His highlight as mayor would probably be spearheading the launch of the city’s ambitious Vision 2022, which aims to turn the city into a great economic powerhouse.

 

Honest Buti Billy ******

BDP, Satellite South Ward

Billy was inconsistent in the five years he has been participating in the council chambers.

 However, when in his element, he was just as valorous as he was intelligent in his contributions. 

He may not have been a star in that period, but the former city mayor often rose to the occasion, proving his mettle.

 

Robert Mosweu *******

BCP, Boikhutso Ward

Mosweu never easily backed down from debates when he did not get answers regarding concerns of his constituents.

He was, however, an all-rounder who appeared to be astute on many factors particularly the council and governance. One may safely say his contributions at the FCC were above average.

 

Tabengwa Tabengwa ********

BCP, Ikageleng Ward

No wonder he is greatly revered by people in his ward. Tabengwa ranked very highly among the councillors who were active in the chambers.

Tabengwa, who was the longest serving councillor, was both intelligent and tenacious during debates and interactions with other councillors.

Along with Moswaane, they were among councillors who strongly advocated for key issues affecting Francistown residents particularly those in low-income areas.

Meshack Matseka *****

BDP, Somerset East Ward

He may have been reticent in his contributions, but when the occasion called for it, Matseka remarked tellingly. In a nutshell, he was not that bad really.  He would chip in with some vital comments during council proceedings.

 

Biki Mbulawa *****

UDC, Phillip Matante West Ward

He was average and he had a very short temper at times during debates and interactions with other councillors. For someone who was making a debut as a councillor he was not bad though.

 

Ford Moiteela *******

BDP, Specially Elected

Characteristically, specially elected councillors have been known to be mere benchwarmers who just add numbers in the chambers.  They would sit there, quiet and completely detached, not getting themselves dirty with the howling and shouting that characterised council debates. Not so for Moiteela.  He took on all comers. Be it from his BDP camp or opposition. In short, Moiteela was articulate and shrewd when debating motions and discussing council agendas. He will be best remembered for sponsoring a motion that resulted in the ouster of Maiketso as the mayor barely three months into the latter’s tenure.

 

Joyce Ndove *****

BDP, Deputy Mayor, Specially Elected

Ndove chipped in with some clever remarks in the council chambers on several occasions.

She was elected to deputise Kgalajwe in September 2012. Although she had some nervous moments when she started as the deputy mayor, especially during occasions she was supposed to officiate at, as time went on she settled very well in the role.

 

Masego Pule ***

BDP, Specially Elected

Pule was as quiet as a church mouse. For a lovely woman like her, she seemed not to want to offend anyone as she sat and looked straight ahead.Councillors who are brought to the chambers on special nomination are expected to augment the skills of popularly elected councillors, but Pule offered very little of that in the chambers.

 

Steven Michael *****

UDC, Ipopeng Ward

The Ipopeng man was another councillor who was inconsistent.  He occasionally took part in debates and other activities in the chambers.  All in all, it is safe to say that he was slightly average because he was not that disappointing.