Another hurdle for Molao

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 25, 2010 00:00

His grandmother on his father's side, Nthusi Ntobe, died last Saturday at the age of 105 years. She will be buried next Saturday.

'Definitely, I have been grounded during this crucial time of our campaigns. Whilst I want to ensure that I do the leg work, I cannot ignore the reality that someone who raised me to what I am today has passed on,' stated the worried politician.

Molao leaves his house as early as 5am and returns late in the evening but that has since been altered to accommodate the requisite preparations to bid the deceased the last farewell.

'I will ensure that I plan my time effectively so that I don't cause any harm to either side,' he declares, hoping that the BDP campaign teams in the area will take over from where he has left.

Molao accedes that the passing on of her grandmother came at a bad time when political campaigns in preparation for the September 4 by-election is at its height.

There have been reports that supporters of five other losing candidates were likely not to throw their weight behind Molao. Their main problem is that the BDP 'Bulela Ditswe' primaries were not free and fair.

The party has talked to all the concerned parties but it seems some people were not happy with the final decision although officially the position is that all is well.

The opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP), represented by Dr Habaudi Hobona, is also contesting the by-election.

Meanwhile, Molao was yesterday elated that the BDP was able to snatch former BCP candidate for the Mathangwane North Ward in the 2005 by-election which was ultimately won by Ipuseng Chikanda.

Nature Lefatshe was officially welcomed into the BDP ranks on Sunday.

'Lefatshe is not your ordinary party activist.

He proved himself in 2005 during a by-election that he is a man of substance. He did not win the by-election but he gave the BDP a run for its money,' said Molao.

Speaking to Lefatshe, he said, ' I left the BCP because the party is now run like a family business across the constituencies'.

Above all, he says, he has started understanding the policies pursued by President Ian Khama whom he says is not comparable to any political leader in the country.

To him, Khama is development oriented. 'To me, the BCP does not seem to be having the slightest focus to provide an alternative government. Why should I stick with a party that does not promise to change even in future?' he wondered.

But a member of the BCP central committee, Vain Mamela, has dismissed Lefatshe stating that he is insignificant.'Where has this man been? He has long vanished into oblivion and is only emerging to claim that he has been part of us,' said Mamela.

His explanation is that Lefatshe long became inactive after losing a by-election in 2005.

'Why is he embarrassing himself by claiming to be a BCP activist?' said Mamela, who challenged his former comrade to tell the people the truth.