Businessman joins BDP Ftown-West battle

Chakalisa Dube | Thursday December 15, 2016 15:59

Kealotswe, a Gaborone-based businessman, is said to have started frequenting the constituency in recent months in a bid to bolster his chances of a triumph when the party opens the race for primaries. The constituency is currently held by the BDP’s Ignatius Moswaane.

Sources close to Kealotswe, who is a former Motlakase Power Dynamos chairperson, said he had already confided that he would be challenging the primaries.

Kealotswe is also said to have started assembling a team meant to help him triumph at the primaries. Yesterday however, the businessman would not confirm or deny the latest reports. “Yes, I have interest in challenging the primaries in Francistown West but I am yet to decide. I am still assessing the viability of standing. There are people who are also lobbying me to contest the primaries in the constituency,” Kealotswe told Mmegi yesterday. He denied that he had started veiled campaigns in the area.

“My mother stays in Monarch which is in Francistown West. Maybe when I visit her in the area it raises speculation that I am campaigning, but I am not,” he said.

In addition, Kealotswe said that he is still consulting with his family.

Kealotswe is not new to politics as towards the 2014 general elections, he contested the BDP parliamentary primary elections in Palapye and lost to Moiseraele Master Goya.

Although he was born in Francistown, Kealotswe has spent the better part of his adult life in Palapye where he was active in the BDP. He recently relocated to Gaborone. Prior to contesting for political office, Kealotswe was among those who vigorously supported Goya in the BDP primaries leading up to the 2008 by-election to replace Boyce Sebetlela. Goya went on to defeat Sheila Tlou in a fiercely contested battle. 

Although the BDP primaries in Francistown West will be held in over a year’s time the constituency has already attracted a few challengers. The BDP is also yet to open for expressions of interest for those who want to contest. So far, former Monarch East councillor Raoboy Mpuang and Tebogo Toteng have confirmed their interest to challenge Moswaane, the incumbent.

The three men Toteng, Moswaane and Mpuang are said to have started veiled campaigns for the primaries although they deny it.