A campaign like no other
Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 12, 2016 14:38
It has been a campaign that had the nation on the edge of the seat, even eclipsing attention on the world biggest sporting competition, the Olympics.
While three men are in the hat for the presidential post, it is widely viewed as a two-horse race between a 42-year-old lawyer, Tebogo Sebego and businessman, Maclean Letshwiti (60). Solomon Mantswe is the other candidate.
The crisis that gripped football particularly the Botswana Premier League (BPL) acted as a catalyst for a mudslinging contest.
There were lengthy deliberations on who would challenge Sebego with Multichoice general manager, Billy Sekgororoane unsuccessfully linked with the post after he turned down overtures to run for the top post.
Segolame Ramotlhwa, a veteran administrator, was at some stage linked with leading a group challenging Sebego before Ookeditse Malesu came into the picture. But both men had to settle for different posts within the opposing camp after businessman, Maclean Letshwiti was eventually persuaded to contest.
Sebego had announced that he will run for another term and then Solomon Mantswe made a late entry although he argues it was the right time.
This means, for the first time in nearly two decades, there are three men contesting for the BFA presidency.
It has been a campaign frequently punctuated by reports of dirty under hand tactics. Sebego has argued that the crisis gripping football is man-made, meant to elbow him out of the office. But his rivals, particularly Letshwiti, maintain he has failed and football is in dire need of a new leader. The football fracas has drawn even the highest office in the land; the Office of the President, the minister of youth, sport and culture, Thapelo Olopeng as well as the Botswana National Sport Commission, growing evidence of how high the stakes are.
The usual mantra of ‘vote-buying’ has unspectacularly returned. It always does rounds at this time after every four years and therefore hardly surprising. Both camps have traded this accusation, but it is fast losing its treads.
Just days before the election, attempts were made to disqualify both Sebego and his ‘blue-eyed boy’ Tariq Babitseng but the Electoral Appeals Committee decided to look the other way.
But away from the mudslinging, all the candidates have upped the ante, with the culminating two launches this week, the cherry on top. It was the first time BFA candidates held such immaculate launches just days before the election.
Mantswe has chosen a low-key campaign with a launch at Maruapula School, the highlight thus far. He was the first to launch his team and says he believes he has done enough to give favourites, Sebego and Letshwiti a good run for their money.
Letshwiti has pulled all stops as he attempts to wrestle the seat away from Sebego. He had the financial muscle to mount an expansive (and expensive) campaign which saw him traverse the length and breath of the country.
As a well known businessman, he is well connected and his launch on Tuesday at Jessy’s Bistro reflected his pulling power where fellow businessman, sportspersons and politicians converged.
Letshwiti has promised to reenergise football, particularly catching the ear with an audacious promise of 5,000 jobs in his four years in office. A pugnacious Letshwiti gave a stirring speech in his final public address before tomorrow’s key ballot.
Incumbent, Sebego took his launch to a place that holds fond memories for him when he went to Old Naledi. Sebego chose to deliver a speech wrapped in humility. Appearing subdued, Sebego emphasised how football should unite and not divide people. He said it was crucial that delegates vote in blocs to rid the association of unnecessary fights brought about by voting people who carry clashing ideologies.
There was an element of certainty in his soft talk when he spoke about “correcting the wrongs” when voted back into office. Sebego has always maintained that an uncosy relationship with some of his lieutenants is behind some of the football shambles.
The curtain will swiftly fall on the gripping contest tomorrow when delegates, through a secret ballot, make the vital decision.
Voting facts and figures
Who votes during the BFA elections
* 17 Regions each sends two delegates
* Four delegates from First Division North
* Four delegates from First Division South
* 16 delegates from Botswana Premier League
* Two delegates from women’s football
The Teams
President
Tebego Sebego
Maclean Letshwiti
Solomon Mantswe
First vice president
Akoonyatse Basadi (Team Sebego)
Segolame Ramotlhwa (Team Letshwiti)
Dickson Gabanakgosi (Team Mantswe)
Second vice president
Tariq Babitseng (Team Sebego)
Marshlow Motlogelwa (Team Letshwiti)
Gabriel Ngele (Team Mantswe)
Ordinary additional members
Ookeditse Malesu (Team Letshwiti)
Kgato Motai (Team Mantswe)
Masego Ntshingane (Team Sebego)
Olsen Mantle (Team Sebego)
Kenalekgotla Sebolao (Team Mantswe)
Senki Sesinyi (Team Letshwiti)
Oathusa Baoke (Team Mantswe)
Abel Monnakgotla (Team Sebego)
Eatametse Olopeng (Team Letshwiti)
Female additional members
Tract Gaebolae (Team Letshwiti)
Theresa Hirschfeld (Team Mantswe)
Suzie Montsho (Team Mantswe)
Numbers Expected
200 people are expected at the annual general assembly: 60 delegates representing all the members of the BFA, 14 non-members, the members of the outgoing NEC, five electoral committee members, 13 observers, eight service providing staff (lights and sound crew) and 30 members of the press. The public will not be allowed into the meeting, only accredited personnel would be allowed.
Procedure
The meeting will begin if the quorum is formed by 51% of the members. The elections are expected to start at 3pm. The electoral committee composing of five individuals and the 13 observers will facilitate the electoral process. They will also be elections of the members of the judicial bodies; the electoral committee will facilitate it, while the new NEC will facilitate the election of members of the Audit and Compliance committee.
Rules
Voting by a letter or any form of writing is not permitted, the eligible personnel should be physically present to vote. Voting by the raise of hands is not permitted; the process used will be through a secret ballot
Declaring the winner
The winning candidate has to secure 70% of the vote otherwise voting will go into the second round with the top two candidates from the initial voting, contesting.