'Tsogwane is the next VP'
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday March 30, 2018 16:51
He is a very close confidante of Mokgweetsi Masisi who is ascending to the presidency on Sunday.
Although Tsogwane did not want to discuss the issue, those close to him say he has been billed to fill in Masisi’s shoes.
He is described by many as the rightful candidate for the post of VP. Some MPs who did not want to be named believe that he could be able to bring disgruntled members and coordinate MPs well.
Tsogwane has been serving as a legislator for Boteti West since 1999. He is a close friend of Masisi. He has been very loyal to him in all his campaigns of party chairmanship. Tsogwane was once a secondary school teacher.
They described him as a humble person who likes laughing and treating people equally.
Even in Parliament, Tsogwane accommodates all MPs and jokes with from different aisle without taking issues personally.
He is described as a man who does not have pride like other cabinet Ministers. The new President needs that kind of a person.
“So far he is the longest MP in our Parliament and he has been loyal to Masisi. Mind you the VP position is chosen at the discretion of the President.
He is the one who knows the kind of person he needs. Normally, the person who will be chosen now would not become VP after 2019 general election. The President normally chooses a person he is close to and knows that he would not betray him and the person of that calibre,” he said.
Another MP said he believes that every MP could do the VP job well because the post is ceremonial and one works during the absence of President.
“Honestly, I do not mind Tsogwane. He is a humble and respects others whether you differ about issues or not. He could give guidance on party issues at central committee level because he is not biased,” the MP said.
One of the functions of VP includes providing support to the President such as managing and coordinating his diary; providing protocol, security and ceremonial support; recording meetings; facilitating ministerial briefs to the President.
He must also be able to handle appeals and complaints forwarded to Office of the President and interviewing people in relevant government agencies to collect inputs for speech. On party level, he must chair central committee meetings on the absence of the President.