Chimela is president of BNF Women's Wing

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday July 20, 2011 00:00

 

Chimela was unopposed when she assumed the position at the party's congress here last weekend. Kentse Mollentze became Vice-President. The Kgatleng councillor was also unopposed. Neo Moambole became the Chairperson after she beat Naledi Akambakamba with 67 to 44 votes. Dorcus Mothusi became the Secretary General, while Mosetsana Baatweng, who was unopposed, became Deputy Secretary General. The new Secretary for Labour is Ompelege Molefe, who garnered 50 votes, just one up on Matshidiso Pusoemang.

The Secretary for Political Affairs is Retha Dithupa, Mmita Kodie the Secretary for Economic Affairs, Thekiso Ketire the Secretary for Publicity, Selinah Mokgweetsi the Secretary for Health, while Florah Monkuki is the Organizing Secretary of the BNF Women's Wing.

In an interview with Mmegi, new Vice-President Mollentze said they faced a difficult task because the Women's Wing had been defunct for some time.  She said they would have to re-build structures from the grassroots level.

The BNF had a huge following among Batswana women, but the women should be encouraged to stand for elective positions in the party and at the national level, Mollentze noted.

'Women are afraid of standing for these positions,' she said. 'We intend to change this by work-shopping them on these issues.'  A schedule to that end would be prepared in due course, Mollentze said.