Nkate too careful not to reveal plans

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday October 4, 2016 15:49

His contract is due to expire before end of the year.

Mmegi has learnt that Nkate has been approached by some BDP members offering him support if he contests for the position, whilst another faction believed to be supporting Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi wants Nkate to stand for the secretary general position.

The BDP is scheduled to hold its party central committee elections next July.

“I have made my decision, I will be coming home when my contract ends in November. I believe I have served and represented Botswana well in Japan. The people of Japan and Botswana have a good relationship and have cultural exchange,” Nkate said.

He confirmed that some members of his party have been recruiting him for political position.

“I have not entertained them because I am a civil servant. It would be wrong to say one person has been recruiting me while I received many calls from different people. I don’t talk politics while I am a civil servant. I know politicians very well because once you allow them to talk politics or to say anything political, then they would go around misquoting or say something that you haven’t said,” he said.

Nkate said his employment contract does not allow him to be active in politics. 

Nkate has been Japan ambassador for the last four years.

It will not be his first time to serve in the BDP central committee if he wins. He was once the BDP secretary general and also a former minister for Education.

Information passed to Mmegi indicates that some BDP members are already lobbying people for different party positions.

“Some lobby teams are already doing their fund-raising for party elections. The game for campaigns is likely going to change this time around,” the source said.