Nasha steals the show
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday November 7, 2014 16:39
As soon as Nasha entered the packed courtroom after lunch, the huge crowd in the gallery greeted her with cheers. They called her ‘comrade’ a term frequently used by opposition politicians to address their associates. “Motho ke ene yoo batho, mmaarona. (This person is our mother),” a member of the crowd said.
Nasha who appeared to be enjoying the attention was overheard telling everyone that she intends to seek re-election as Speaker. “I don’t care if I am voted by one or two MP’s I am standing,” a defiant Nasha told the excited crowd.
The former cabinet minister is up against, Gladys Kokorwe – who is understood to enjoy the backing of President Ian Khama. According to sources, Nasha is banking on opposition MPs and nonconformist BDP MPs to ward off the challenge of Kokorwe, a former deputy Speaker.
It is said Nasha has fallen out with Khama and that is why he (Khama) wants MPs to vote by a show of hands to make sure his troops back Kokorwe. The general feeling is that should MPs be allowed to vote through secret ballot, they would not be intimidated, hence the BDP ones may back Nasha in sufficient numbers to hand her victory. It is said 11 MPs are alleged to have stated that they will defy the party caucus and vote Nasha.
In court, she sat in the front bench behind the lawyers together with Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president Dumelang Saleshando, former BDP chairman, Daniel Kwelagobe, Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU) leader, Johnson Motshwarakgole and other political leaders.