Independent cllr shuns parties after record win
Bonte Seepi | Thursday December 4, 2014 11:56
Mabjeng battled against BDP’s Pini Morupisi, the wife to Carter Morupisi, the Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP)’s David Sepako in this year’s general elections.
He defeated them and became the only independent candidate to secure more than 1,000 votes in the last elections.
Madjeng is the former Secretary General of Botswana Youth Council (BNYC) and former Vice Chairperson of BDP National Youth Executive Committee (BDPNYEC).
In an interview, Mabjeng said that he is enjoying himself as an independent councillor since he has no pressure of any party’s caucus.
Mabjeng won the ward as an independent candidate for the second time in a row.
In the 2009 general elections, he stood as an independent candidate and after he won, joined Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
He further told this publication that it is possible that he might end his term as a councillor without a party.
“It is still too early to decide which party I am going to join.
In the meantime I will remain an independent. I am enjoying myself because I am not controlled by any party’s caucus. I am under no pressure.
“There are possibilities that I might not join any party until I finish my term in council. Mind you, I am not a politician but a visionary, I have no political ideology,” said Mabjeng.
Mabjeng further explained that he did not regard himself as a politician but as an independent councillor and will adhere to his mandate, of developing his ward.
He said even when he raises an issue in council he always reminds other councillors that he is representing people not himself.
“I don’t regard myself as a politician and people must follow suit. I am an independent councillor and that is my status even at the council.
“I am neither in the ruling party nor any opposition party.
So if there is something that is worth my support at the council, I support the issue despite the party it comes from. “I also expect councillors to support my ideas and each time I speak I remind them that I am representing the society,” said Mabjeng.
The independent councilor promised that in his second term as Lecheng- Malaka’s representative, he is going to advocate for youth and recreation.
He said the youth were a great concern to parents.
He further noted that his first priority is to see children attending schools, thus becoming educated.
Mabjeng, a public speaker of note, said he is going to advocate for the times of selling traditional beer.
He said that he is against the limited time that have been allocated to the traditional beer traders, saying it is against Setswana culture.
He pointed out that people who sell the beer are elders who have self-discipline hence there is no need to control them because they know the difference between good and bad.
He further added that traditional beer trading hours should not be limited because there is never too much noise in places where it is sold.
The formidable fighter, Madjeng also said that during his five year-term at council he is also going to advocate for council autonomy.
He said he is not happy with the current situation whereby councils are under The Ministry of Local Government.
Rather, he wants councils to fall under the country’s constitution so that they can have access to funds.
He said when councils have access to money it will mean decentralisation of services to the public.