Khama/Moitoi Dominate Delegates As Maele Sweeps Stakes At Tswapong Branch Congress
Correspondent | Monday March 11, 2019 12:11
Maele will be leading eight councilors, and a further eight delegates that were voted at the weekend’s Congress tat Maunatlala to add to Khama’s proxy, Venson Moitoi’s tally.
Speaking in a side interview after the constituency congress which included elections, Maele applauded constituents saying he wasn’t expecting peace that prevailed during the elections due to the factions which have been visible ever since the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections, where he was challenged by Setlhabelo Modukanele but emerged triumphant.
The MP said he has been trying to instill peace in the Tswapong North area which had divided themselves into Maele/ Modukanele factions saying it is not about individuals but Domkrag.
He added, “as the leadership we are just holding positions and even by the time we leave our positions the party will still remain.”
The youth and women’s committee elections went well without anybody challenging those elected. The branch committee also went well as all the nominations were unopposed. Even the selection of the delegates who will represent the constituency at Kang BDP Congress was non-violent.
When given the opportunity to nominate one of the delegates who will be going, Maele opted for his parliamentary seat rival Modukanele. He said he gave him the gesture to prove that indeed he wanted peace between them and those who followed him during the primary elections.“Today it has re-affirmed that even those who are standing for 2019 general elections will win because there is peace amongst Lerala/ Maunatlala democrats. I am glad that after nominating him; Modukanele embraced me; that show a huge transformation as in the past we couldn’t even talk to each other”.
“We need to come together as democrats, we are planning a general meeting to call constituency BDP members to set the campaign tone because we do not want old fashioned insults campaign but rather a campaign that will address BDP issues, our intention is to win people’s sympathy genuinely” he said.
Asked to publicly declare his branch’s loyalty between President Masisi and Venson Moitoi, Maele chose to be diplomatic; “ We are yet to form an opinion about it, but I can confidently say the delegates are on my side; they will be looking up to me, as their branch leader to assist them make sober decision regarding the Presidential candidates”, Maele said, with a laughter.
However one of the delegates who spoke on condition of anonymity said most of them are on Moitoi’s camp.
The delegates to Kang include, Modukanele, Barulaganye Lebang, Gagoope Poo, Mirium Motsamai, Lephimotswe Mowana, Tirelo Ramasoko, Toro Gaonne and Alfa Mogami. They will be with four observers from the constituency who are Gabathokwe Botshelo, Antonneite Molaodi, Joseph Motlhagodi and Boitumelo Katsepo.
The incoming chairman of the branch, youth and women’s committees, Daniel Ookame, Thato Dineo and Gaolathe Keanna respectively and their secretaries, Kebarile Tshepho, Neo Kebaitseng and Dineo Thomas will also accompany the delegates to Kang.
All councilors from the eight wards, Opelo Modimowaitse, Mmabesi Olopile, Salome Lesole, Abitseng Kganetso, Gabagopole Sebele, Daniel Ookame, Malebogo Phuthego will also be part of the delegation.
Meanwhile, the BDP National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC) treasurer, Tuelo Metseyabeng’s campaign for President Masisi fell on deaf ears as Maele bossed the outcome of every structure at the weekend elections to win the branch committee, women’s wing, Youth Wing elections enroute to taking all the delegates to the Presidential elections.