Bonyongo is a proud hooko
James Kgosi | Thursday October 16, 2014 15:47
He said it was not always the case that independents were underdogs, and that the concept is not unique to Botswana.
Addressing a political rally at Masunga recently, Bonyongo who was in the company of independent council candidates who just like him were losers in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries, said independents can easily beat party candidates.
“The world is replete with independent candidates making it in the national elections. Jonathan Moyo in neighbouring Zimbabwe and Nehemiah Modubule in Botswana are some of the examples of independent candidates who made it in national elections,” he said.
Bonyongo agued that unlike in the past, the electorate is interested in the candidates’ capabilities not a political party.
Bonyongo whose slogan is ‘Chedza chakotoka’, Kalanga for light has come, said time was nigh for change in the constituency and that he would use his experience gained as a councillor to fight for developments in the constituency.
He said the Sebina-Ramokgwebana road, which has been expanded up to Mulambakwena village, is one of the developments that he would like to see completed.
“I will not tire from advocating for developments in Tati West. Hooko da buda muwoko,” he said imitating a cock much to the delight of his supporters.
The arrival of Biggie Butale, the BDP parliamentary candidate, who beat Bonyongo in the controversial Bulela Ditswe, ignited the rally. The former comrades got the cheer when they hugged and Butale took the front seat to listen to his opponent’s political address.
Interestingly, Bonyongo who during Radio Botswana parliamentary debates said he had no problem with Butale spent much of his address castigating him.
He accused Butale of telling untruths during the radio debates to woo voters to his side. Bonyongo further made fun of his former colleague turned political nemesis of being imposed on a constituency he knows nothing about. “A political candidate is not manna from heaven.
He or she should be born and bred in the constituency and be knowledgeable with what is happening in it,” he said.