Businessman Kealotswe confirms Bulela Ditswe interest

Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday January 24, 2017 16:30

“I am interested in contesting the primaries.  I was born and bred in Francistown West so I understand the constituency very well,” Kealotswe said yesterday.

He will take the challenge for Francistown West BDP primaries next year, which would be his ticket to the 2019 general elections should he win Bulela Ditswe. 

“I also believe that with my credentials, I can contribute a lot to the growth of Francistown West and the city in general should I win the Parliamentary elections,” he said.

Kealotswe, who owns a security company and several other businesses, has in the past denied that he intends to run for the primaries in Francistown West.

Further speculation also suggests that Kealotswe has launched veiled campaigns for the primaries where he has been visiting the constituency more often in recent months.

Kealotswe is no novice when it comes to politics.  Towards the 2014 general elections, he contested the BDP primaries in Palapye and lost to his former political master, Moiseraele Master Goya.

Although born in Francistown, he has spent a 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 at the BDP primaries leading up to the 2008 by-election to replace Boyce Sebetela.  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 (for the primaries).  The BDP is also yet to open expression of interest for those who want to contest.

In his bid to go to Parliament, Kealotswe is likely to face former Monarch East councillor Raoboy Mpuang and Tebogo Toteng as well as incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Ignatius Moswaane.

To solidify their bid for the primaries Toteng, Moswaane and Mpuang are said to have also started veiled campaigns although they deny it.