A Saleshando Prepares To Paint Gil's House Red

| Monday September 20, 2010 00:00

 

Monitor: Your father is a stalwart of opposition politics in Botswana. You mean opposition politics have never appealed to you?

Saleshando: I was born into a politically driven family. Some of my family members and relatives were and still are active members of the BDP while others are members of the opposition. This setup allowed me to look at both sides of the coin objectively. I have been neutral for many years, assessing the direction and vision of different political parties. In the end, I found the BDP most appealing.

Monitor: Anyone would ordinarily feel very proud to be coming from a family with such an impressive political background and influence like the Saleshandos. You chose not to follow in your father and brother's political footsteps. Why?

Saleshando: I remain a proud member of the Saleshando family. However, like any household, we may see certain things differently, but this does not mean one is not proud of the other. I am proud of my family and will always be.

Monitor: When you meet with your brother Dumelang, the President of the BCP, do you talk politics?

Saleshando: No we don't. When we meet at home, he assumes the role of a brother or elder, which he is to me.

Monitor: So you have never assisted any of your father or brother in their political campaigns in the past?

Saleshando: I have assisted before. I did so as a brother and not as a political activist. Ke ne ke thusa jaaka ngwana mongwe le mongwe a ka thusa mo lapeng (I would help like any other child would help in the family). I must add though, I learnt a lot about Botswana's political landscape through assisting in whatever way I did.

Monitor: When your father and brother stood for parliamentary elections in Phikwe and Gaborone last year, you didn't send them good luck messages or phone calls?

Saleshando: Oh yes, I did. I did not only send messages but also phoned and wished them all the best. I did the same with those I'm close to in the BDP.

Monitor: So, o ngwana wa bokae kwa Goo Rre Saleshando? A ke wena fela o leng MoDomi?

Saleshando: I am the fourth son of Mr Gilson Saleshando. As for who else in the family is pro-BDP, I will not say. I would rather they speak for themselves. What I know for sure is they have an excellent understanding of Botswana politics. Who knows, maybe I will manage to recruit some of them to my chosen political home. Only time will tell.

Monitor:  How active are you in BDP politics, do you have BDP regalia at the Saleshando's home?

Saleshando: I am not yet active in BDP politics. I joined the party recently and I moved to South Africa shortly after that. So I have not had much of a chance to parttake in active politics. As for BDP regalia in the Saleshando household, I have not yet had the opportunity to collect anything. I will definitely do so when I move back to Botswana.

Monitor: This unusual political climate in the family; has it not created tension between supporters of the BDP and the BCP?

Saleshando: I do not understand what is unusual about this. There are those youth who have left their parents' political home (BDP) to join BMD. I am of the view that we are all allowed to exercise our democratic right in choosing a political home.

Monitor: Do you have any aspirations for political office, Mr Saleshando?

Saleshando: No sir, not at all. My aim is to work closely with the youth of the BDP and participate in the BDP's nationwide agenda in general.

Monitor: Are the rest of the members of your father and brother's party, the BCP aware that Saleshando's son is a Domkgrag?  What do they say?

Saleshando: The few who know have respected my decision just like I have respected theirs.

Monitor: In South Africa; what are you doing there?

Saleshando: I am currently completing my studies in mass media but I should be done soon.