Williams retains CDC chairmanship seat
Bonte Seepi | Friday May 19, 2017 12:11
It was clear from the onset that Williams would retain his position when his nomination was greeted with a deafening applause from councillors.
Councillor Ketshwereng Galeragwe of Letlhakane also retained his position as the vice chairman after beating Gabagopole Sebele of Lerala West with 102 against 70. CDC has a total of 174 councilors.
Williams, who could not contain his happiness, thanked his fellow councillors for the transparency of the elections and expressed happiness that councillors demonstrated trust in his leadership.
But he seemed unwell on the day and kept panicking and struggling to follow the District Commissioner who was administering the oath. He was at one point cut short as he tried giving his remarks before taking oath.
In his remarks he even made it clear that he was afraid, though he won.
“All thanks to the councillors who voted for me. To tell the truth I was afraid, but people voted for me. I expected 140 votes, but what is done is done and what is more important is that I retained my position. As you all know, my roadmap has not been finished. I have been fighting for the rights of councillors since my first term as a councillor in the Tonota Sub-Council,” he said.
He said his main concern is the welfare of councillors, which he said the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) is not doing enough about it.
He blamed the CDC challenges on employees who did not want to implement projects. He further said he was worried that CDC was under funded, being such a large area compared to other councils.
“Our council is vast and it has a high number of destitute and orphans, so most of the money we are given goes to such,” he said.
The vice chairman said that he was grateful for the vote adding that he and his chairperson still had unfinished business. He promised that he shall never disappoint his fellow councillors and urged them to support Williams and him, as CDC has many challenges.
Meanwhile, the defeated Merementsi said in an interview that he accepted the results. He said his challenge for the seat was motivated by the fact that CDC is not moving forward with developments.
“That calls for the council to stand up for itself and generate money. CDC is supposed to be decentralised, but we are still doing everything in Serowe,” he said. Furthermore, Merementsi bemoaned councillors’ development, saying there ought to be workshops aimed at teaching councillors about the council.
Merementsi said there should be council annual performance report (APR) detailing achievements and challenges.
He said the council could not be run without a plan hence he does not believe in the chairperson's speech. He said should he have been voted into office he would strive to change the face of CDC.
A majority of sub-council leaders also retained their positions. Serowe Sub-District elected Mpho Kooreme and Atlamelang Thaga as chairperson and deputy respectively.
Councillor Lesedi Phuthego was elected as Palapye Sub-council chairperson while Kabo Ketshogile retained his deputy chairperson seat.
Tutume sub-council also retained their chairperson Ishmael Mokgethi and his deputy Anthony Chebani. Mahalapye sub-council also retained Tasman Cebani and Timothy Tlhalerwa as the chairperson and vice respectively.
Goratamang Masweu and Victor Mphale were also retained as Bobirwa chairperson and vice chairperson. Tonota sub-council elected Anderson Moalosi and Lampy Ngake as their leaders. Molemi Galeragwe and Goabaone Bolesitswe also retained their seats as Boteti chairperson and deputy.
All the elections were held at the CDC main chamber in Serowe.