Ookeditse resigns
Staff Writer | Friday January 5, 2018 14:00
It is an open secret that Ookeditse is preparing to wrestle Nata-Gweta MP Polson Majaga for the constituency during the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections slated for August 2018.
The youthful Ookeditse has reportedly made up his mind but has repeatedly refused to confirm if indeed he is running for the Nata-Gweta constituency but all indications are that he is. For instance, in 2017 alone, Majaga complained a record 10 times on the floor of Parliament over Ookeditse’s alleged encroachment into the constituency.
It seems the battle is between Majaga and Ookeditse. Those close to the director claim that that he has the villages of Mosetse, Lepashe, Dukwi, Sowa Township and Nata West as his strongholds. “He has made such serious inroads that Majaga has had to be confined to a ward in Gweta where he believe he can get most votes,” one of Ookeditse’s foot soldiers claimed.
When approached for confirmation of his resignation, the former political analyst and radio presenter remained philosophical. “The voice of the people is the voice of God, and no one, myself included can defy destiny. However, matters of employment are between an employee and their employer and I can not discuss such with yourselves in the media”, Ookeditse said.
Pressed further for comment the usually candid Ookeditse could still not comment noting, “Please, I cannot say anything more than I already said. I respect and love the media for the role it does but this is a private matter between me and my employer. If there is news we will share”.
A source at the Ministry confirmed the resignation however. “It is true that he has written to notify the employer of his impending departure. But like all resignation letters, he was not specific as to what he is resigning to go do. We all speculate it is to run for Parliament”, the well-placed source said.
Mmegi first broke the story of Ookeditse running for Parliament last year January. Throughout the year, he has been engaged in community activities and he continues to spend a lot of time in the constituency, for instance, he spoke to us via telephone while at Dukwi. When quizzed on his time there he insisted he is on leave and relaxing, yet it is said he is in the campaign trail.
Ookeditse alongside Bogolo Kenewendo and others are said to be among the blue eyes youth the incoming Mokgweetsi Masisi administration would like to usher in. He is a known Masisi ally and suspicions are that he is being groomed for more than just a Parliament seat. This seems to have worried Majaga who privately and publicly has been complaining that Ookeditse is being given the leeway to remove him from the constituency.
The Ministry could not be reached for comment.