Reikeletseng cagey on BDP parliamentary bid
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday January 12, 2017 16:48
So far three people have openly expressed their desire to contest the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries to stand in the constituency in the 2019 general elections.
Several other names have been bandied about for the primaries, in what is expected to be a heated race to topple the incumbent, Wynter Mmolotsi of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Yesterday, Reikeletseng told Mmegi that he is yet to make a decision whether to join active politics or not.
However, the BNSC boss’ name has been mentioned in connection with the constituency for more than six months.
“I am still undecided. My passion is more skewed towards business.
There is also so much to consider when one ponders venturing into politics. I will probably decide if I am interested or not, soon. For now I can say my decision will go either way,” Reikeletseng said.
Mmegi is informed that in May last year, some Francistown South BDP members sent a delegation to plead with Reikeletseng to consider contesting the primaries.
In addition, a number of BDP diehards in the constituency are reportedly eager to back Reikeletseng.
The party is due to go for primaries in Francistown South by the middle of the year.
Reikeletseng conceded that he had frequently met some of those pushing him to contest in the primaries.
“I last met them during the festive season.
As of now I cannot say much about the discussions we had,” he said.
Should Reikeletseng choose to challenge the BDP primaries, he will likely face outgoing BDP youth wing chair Andy Boatile, nominated councillor Zazambi Tuelo and former Francistown South MP Khumongwana Maoto.
Maoto lost to Mmolotsi in the BDP primaries leading to the 2009 general elections. Mmolotsi would later ditch the ruling party to form the Botswana Movement for Democracy, which is now part of the UDC.