BDP endorses Nasha for Speaker, Moatlhodi for deputy

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday October 21, 2009 00:00

 

Both politicians confirmed that they have been proposed by the party to lead Parliament. 'I have learnt that the BDP caucus meeting yesterday recommended that I be elected the Speaker,' Nasha said. She pointed out that she cannot start celebrating until she has been duly elected to the position. Nasha said she has been canvassing for support from MPs. She is convinced that she had covered enough ground to win the race.

'I think I have what it takes to be the next Speaker of the House. Having sat in the past three Parliaments, one gets to know what the job really entails,' said Nasha who oozed confidence that she would do the job to the satisfaction of MPs. Parliament elects the speaker and the deputy today.

If Nasha gets the nod, she will be the first woman politician to become Speaker. Gladys Kokorwe was the first woman to ascend to the position of deputy Speaker before she was appointed to the last cabinet. Kokorwe has since retired from active politics.

Meanwhile, Moatlhodi said he is vying for the position of deputy Speaker and already, the BDP has endorsed him. 'My constituents have mandated me to go to Parliament to represent them in any capacity,' he said. 'I am therefore vying for this position in the best interest of my constituents and Batswana at large.'

Previously, the outgoing Speaker Patrick Balopi had indicated interest that he wanted to stay on. At the same time his deputy Thebe Mogami has been eyeing the top seat but the BDP and Khama think otherwise. The Nasha-Moatlhodi combination offers a balance of gender and power in BDP. Both candidates belong to different factions vying for control of the BDP.