Lotlamoreng II to resign from Ntlo Ya Dikgosi
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 15, 2015 16:43
The business of the second House of Parliament resumes today, and Barolong royal who is also the deputy chairman of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, is said to plan to officially declare his departure on the last day the sitting, June 26.
Though not publicly declaring Lotlamoreng the candidate, the UDC president, Duma Boko told a well-attended Botswana National Front (BNF) 50th anniversary regional celebrations in the Barolong capital, that they have “a strong candidate”.
“God has us given another leader. He is also capable like our cde Mathokgwane. When one goes, another strong leader arises because God is with us,” said Boko.
According insiders, Lotlamoreng will first address his subjects before calling it a day at the Ntlo ya Dikgosi. He has called lebata (Kgotla meeting) on Tuesday to announce his intentions to leave Bogosi for politics, and also ask Barolong to release him to contest the vacant position.
The post was left vacant by the sudden resignation of former UDC MP James Mathokgwane to take up a management position with the government parastatal, SPEDU in Selibe-Phikwe. Mathokgwane, once a popular BNF and UDC activist who surprised many by winning the ruling Botswana Democratic Party stronghold, beating the minister of Mineral, Energy and Water Affairs Kitso Mokaila, had angered many of his followers, so much that it took Boko to calm the storms.
At the Saturday rally in Goodhope, the UDC leader repeated what he told the party in-house meeting on June 7, that Mathokgwane should not be isolated and demonised. He said there was a need to forgive those “comrades” who are seen as betraying the struggle.
“Tsela e thata, ke mmila o mosesane. Bangwe ba tla sala mo tseleng, bangwe ba tswelela mme go bothokwa gore re itshwarelane (The road is difficult and narrow. Some will fail along the way, but what is important is to forgive),” Boko said.
He said UDC members should instead be strong and work hard to retain Goodhope-Mabule constituency.
Boko revealed that he had been frequenting the constituency since Mathokgwane left.
He said he would be the campaign manager for the area to ensure that UDC retains it. The coordinator for the campaign is the Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Shawn Ntlhaile.
UDC also unveiled the campaign strategy for the constituency, which would help them to retain the area.
Another speaker, BNF secretary general and UDC elections manager Tapiso Kgosikoma urged umbrella members to help with funds, transport and other important materials that would assist in the campaign.
He implored his audience to be strong as victory is always hard fought.
The rally was attended by old and young ones who seemed more interested in knowing if indeed their chief was leaving Bogosi for politics.
Although UDC leadership did not reveal its candidate, but it has been an open secret that Kgosi Lotlamoreng II would contest under their ticket. In fact, the royal house, whom Lotlamoreng II has been consulting since last week, is said to be already engaged in a process to find a regent.