Seametso retains chairman seat
Lebogang Baingapi | Tuesday May 23, 2017 17:04
Seametso garnered 45 votes against a distant 17 votes for Kabelo Lemme of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Chabalala bagged 43 votes to be declared the Vice chairperson seat against Olebogeng Sethibe of Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
Sethibe who is the councillor for Moshupa west, tested the waters and did a last minute contest to out-vote Chabalala from his post.
Sethibe came late to council in 2014 after they had equal votes with Mokgweetsi Masisi’s constituency secretary, Motlhatlosi Kelobang who contested on a BDP ticket. Sethibe later won a bye-election.
After losing Sethibe remained confident that his was a good fight.
He said he wanted to demonstrate that he had the capability to lead the council with an opposition ticket.
On the other hand, Lemme who lost to Seametso said the fact that they were elected at ward level clearly demonstrated that they were capable leaders and he commended his fellow comrades for rallying behind.
“This shows that UDC is solid though we unfortunately lost in the elections. I was hoping to win because I know the dynamics of the district but I do accept the results because the elections were transparent, “said Lemme
Seametso acknowledged his fellow councillors for demonstrating trust in him to lead the council. He said the trust however comes with a challenge of responsibility.
“I am thankful for the vote and promise to work with you to leave a legacy for the Southern region. In 25 years time, I will like to look back and smile because of the legacy I left for the coming generations. Most importantly, we have to love and respect each other for us to deliver the mandate of our institution. We have been relaxed, it is time to work as the council and civil servants and we bank on the community’s support to deliver quality services.
Seametso continues the journey after serving six months as chairperson. He was voted in after his predecessor, Mephato Reatile answered a presidential call to be a specially elected member of Parliament. Chabalala was voted to deputise Seametso by then.
Meanwhile, still at the council meeting, sub-councils also voted for the chairpersons and their vices.
Mabutsane’s Kgopolo Stammere-Ramosesane and Ernest Pule retained their seats as chairperson and vice chairperson respectively. Good-hope retained Gladys Molefhe and voted in Charles Modimothebe for vice chair, which was previously held by Aaron Mothibi.
Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) also made changes by voting in Katlego Pelekekae of BDP to the seat of chairperson and Kennedy Otlaadisa of UDC as vice chairperson. Moshupa sub-council also voted Sonny Phiri as chairperson and he will be deputised by Wakgotla Tsalaile.