Former journalist joins BDP race
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday February 24, 2017 16:26
Businessman and former Botswana Gazette editor, Batlhelefi Leagajang has reportedly decided to contest the Bulela Ditswe. Some of the people who are also said to have shown interest to contest include the Minister of Basic Education, Unity Dow, Phemelo Rapoo, Tosh Kgotlele and Mmusi Kgafela. BDP members willing to contest for primaries in opposition held constituencies are expected to submit their names in June. “I have always had an ambition of representing the people of Mochudi at parliamentary level. After the 2014 general elections some people asked me to consider running for elections in 2019 and what they were simply doing was to ignite the ambition I have always had.
“So if I decide to stand, unlike many politicians, I will not say ‘batho ba re ke eme’. In fact I always say nna le Bakgatla bangwe re tsere tshwetso ya gore ke eme,” Leagajang said. He said he was constrained by the rules and regulations of the party to declare whether he will accept the call or not.
However, a confident Leagajang said when the party makes a call for expression of interest for elections, he will definitely raise his hand. He said despite the challenges that the party has gone through in the last eight years, he still believes in the party and hopes that they will address the concerns that many democrats and Batswana have raised about the party and the country.
“Young democrats like myself must rise to the occasion and take the reigns of leadership and steer the party and the country in the right direction and ensure that we create a good legacy for our children,” he said. Leagajang said whoever wins must be given all the support because they will be serving the interests of their people not personal interests.
Leagajang comes from a BDP background. His mother was a BDP councillor from 1979 to 1989. He said he had always been a BDP card-carrying member from a young age because of the family background.
“As I grew up and became mature enough to make decisions for myself, I assessed all the political parties and I decided to remain with the BDP because of its policies and programmes,” he said.