Khama 'endorse' UDC's Gobotswang
Monkagedi Gaothobogwe | Thursday April 18, 2019 18:00
Still licking his wounds from the recent Kang defeat, where his New Jerusalem faction failed dismally to topple his successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Khama seems to be changing tactics. Masisi’s predecessor, and unlikely adversary, is taking the war to certain Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) figures that foiled his Kang plans.
Chief amongst them is none other than BDP Women’s Wing chairperson, Sefhare-Ramokgonami Member of Parliament (MP), Dorcas Makgato. Makgato, who was outside the country when called to solicit for a comment, had proven to be key in Masisi’s campaign success in Kang. But Khama sent perhaps his sternest message ever to her when he camped at Chadibe, her home village last week.
He spoiled residents with his trademark handouts of soup and diphaphatha (buns), as the last dress rehearsal for the weekend’s Bulela Ditswe primary elections pitting New Jerusalem’s candidate, Gabautwe Maboka against Makgatho’s aspirant, Mummy Bunny Gaebolae. Khama and his Chadibe entourage made the visit, in the absence of the area MP, also largely seen as his attempt to sway BDP voters in that weekend’s by-election.
The poll pits Maboka, who is also a Khama supporter, against Makgato’s preferred candidate following the death of the area’s recent Bulela Ditswe winner. Khama’s Chadibe sojourn had all the hallmarks of the New Jerusalem faction coming out against Makgato with the likes of Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Roseline Panzirah-Matshome, and their team, descending upon the village ahead of the primaries to drum up support for Maboka, who is also the area councillor. Khama was not done with Makgato yet, as on the Friday, the war against the area MP was played out in one of the biggest constituency villages, Ramokgonami, where Khama, for the first time was heard openly endorsing the area’s opposition candidate and BCP vice president, Kesitegile Gobotswang, showing him as a caring, charitable leader and availing himself as ready to resource him anyhow, in the constituency’s charitable causes. In Ramokgonami, the occasion for Khama’s campaign against Makgato was a house donation, which Khama was invited to officially hand over to the needy.
Village volunteers through Kutlwelobotlhoko Society, who said they had approached Gobotswang for assistance, built the house.
But it was Khama’s glowing tribute to Gobotswang that stopped everyone in their track. He even appointed Gobotswang the patron of the village’s society that built the house, and immediately addressed him as such, showering him with praises in the presence of the multitudes that thronged the kgotla. Interestingly, Khama ensured that the Friday Ramokgonami house donation event had the semblance of officialdom, as Bangwato royals accompanied him to the ceremony, including the regent, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane and others.
Like in Chadibe the day before, the Ramokgonami event happened in the absence of the area MP, which was quite noticeable, as the area councillor is a Makgato sympathiser.
As the BDP women’s leader, Makgatho’s influence in a party that women make up the majority of, had been undeniable in the build-up to the Kgang Congress, where Khama’s plan to topple Masisi fell flat. A beaming Gobotswang said Khama’s support could not have come at a better time and is ready to exploit the friendship.
“In 2009, Khama appeared at my Botswana Congress Party (BCP) rally and spoke nice things about me at a the time when many were maligning the opposition; but since that appearance, the perception of people about the opposition changed and we nearly won that constituency in 2009, but with him now starting to appear with me in constituency events, there is no doubt the people will follow him,” enthused Gobotswang, who said he is looking forward to hosting more events alongside Khama in the area.
The area MP, Makgato had been one of the most vocal BDP officials rallying behind Masisi in the run-up to the Kang Congress.
Makgato’s Women’s Wing had even proposed that Masisi be allowed to reign for a full two terms without any interruption, as it has been the tradition of the party. It is strongly believed Makgato also spoilt the party for New Jerusalem during the regional elections for the Kang Congress delegates at a time when there were high hopes that amongst the three constituencies making up the Letswapo region, New Jerusalem, had the backing of two MPs, namely Prince Maele of Lerala-Maunatlala and Master Goya of Palapye constituency.
But the picture changed for the worst on the day of the regional congress hosted by Makgato in Ramokgonami, as Masisi emerged the winner.
On Sunday, Makgato said she was on government assignment outside the country and so was not aware of Khama’s two faction events in Chadibe and Ramokgonami, but said she is not surprised that she would be targeted after the Kang Congress.
She, however, said she would not have imagined that the BDP faction would use the soup kitchen and house donation events in her constituency without inviting the area MP at least.