Makgato, the rising political star
Chakalisa Dube | Friday April 24, 2015 15:42
Makgato joined active politics in 2009 on a nomination card and was immediately appointed the assistant Minister of Trade and Industry. A year later, she was appointed the substantive minister of Trade and Industry.
Her critics dismissed her as a chancer who cannot withstand the pressure of the dirty game of politics, as she was still wet behind her ears as a politician. Again, having spent many years in the corporate world, doubting thomases never gave her a chance.
But she had been in the public eye even before entering the political arena. Many first heard of the MP of Sefhare-Ramokgonami, when she worked for Barloworld as the director of corporate services. She caught the political leadership eye when the then minister of sports appointed her the chairperson of the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC).
She served two terms at BNSC. She then moved up the corporate ladder, assuming the reigns at Botswana Export and Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) in 2008, leaving just a year later when President Ian Khama plucked her out to give her special nomination to Parliament and appoint her to cabinet.
Four years on a free ride to Parliament, Makgatho took the bull by the horns, throwing herself in the serious grassroots political contest. During the ruling party, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries in 2013, she challenged the then MP and assistant minister of Agriculture, and supposedly Khama’s anointed, Oreeditse Molebatsi and won the Sefhare-Ramokgonami. Still, many did not give her much chance in the general elections against the veteran politician, the much fancied and now perennial loser, Kesitegile Gobotswang of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). She won, convincingly.
After the 2014 general elections, Khama once again showed the trust he had on Makgato, appointing her a minister to one of the most difficult and demanding ministries, Health. Once again some doubted her abilities, wondering how someone with no health background can manage the portfolio that even doctors failed in. Months on the job, Makgatho has proven her worth, even gaining praise and thus further cementing her credentials as one of the most influential women in Botswana politics and government.
Now established and confident, Makgato entered the BDP Women’s chairperson race against Tshepho Wareus, a well established party activist who has been in the political game for many years.
With talk of Wareus moving with the financial backing of a prominent businessman and BDP MP Samson Moyo Guma, Makgatho looked like a sacrificial lamp going to the Lobatse congress two weeks ago. But, once again, Makgatho did the impossible – she won, and so did the whole of her team. With that, Makgatho assumed the coveted title of iron lady of Botswana politics – taking over from Margaret Nasha and Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.
It seems, for now, everything that Makgato touches turns into gold. But those who know her better are not surprised by the politician who was born in Serowe but spent the better part of her life in the capital Gaborone’s triumphs whether in politics, business or just socially. She is simply a go-getter whose limit is only the sky.
“She is one woman who is a hard worker. She always says that she would never settle for less. That is why she always perform her duties with aplomb,” said Kgalalelo Mokgweetsi who has known Makgato since 1994.
They became friends then as sporting stars – Mokgweetsi the netballer and Makgato as a volleyball player. They both moved into sports administration. When Makgatho was BNSC chair, Mokgweetsi was the president of Women and Sports Botswana (WASBO), the positions that cemented their relationship, as they had to interact a lot Beyond sports, the two interacted in corporate, social and later political cycles. It was just inevitable that when Makgatho built her lobby team for the BDP Women’s league presidency, Mokgweetsi, who is currently the community liaison officer at Karowe Diamond Mine, would be up their. She was elected the league’s secretary in Lobatse.
“Makgato is also someone who values team work and always wants to be associated with hard workers. I guess that is what has taken her far,” said Mokgweetsi.
In politics, Mokgweetsi said that Makgato has settled very well because of her exceptional ability to mingle easily with all and sundry.
“She is somehow what we call grassroots politician and can interact with everyone regardless of their background,” she said. There is also something she remembers with digital clarity about Makgato.
“In 2005, when she was still with the sports council, there was an international women’s conference in Japan and women in Botswana did not have money to go there.
“Makgato mobilised resources and she ended up leaving with 25 women. That is when I saw that she is someone who wants things done. She believes nothing is impossible,” said Mokgweetsi adding that Makgato has always inspired her. She added that she would not be surprised in future if Makgato could be elected to higher positions than the ones she currently holds because she possesses the zeal and ability to excel in everything she does.
Political analyst Ndulamo Morima also observed that Makgato appears to be a hard worker. “The fact that she was an outsider when she came into politics particularly being appointed to cabinet shows that she is a hard worker,” analysed Morima.
“When you are talented and align with people that matter you are likely to be noticed,” said Morima. “As for her recent triumph at the BDP Women’s Wing elective Congress she might have won because of the factional battles of those fighting for the chairmanship position,” said the political analyst. Morima however cautioned Makgatho against pushing too hard and developing an independent streak. “Other women such as Dr. Nasha who became vocal in her party when her influence grew, she did not succeed. Her party did all it could to reduce her influence. All local parties do not like members who are very vocal and go against some party principles,” he said.
Last week Makgato in an interview attributed her rise to stardom to hard work. She told Mmegi that she does not believe that there is impossible if one is a hard worker. She further stated that she is not threatened by multiple political duties because she keenly believes in teamwork.
“Team work has worked for me over the years and I will depend on team work to deliver in all my duties,” she said.