Motswaledi is BMD President

GOTHATAONE MOENG
Staff Writer | Monday May 2, 2011 00:00

 

He won with 325 votes ahead of advocate Sidney Pilane, the other presidential candidate, who received 125 votes, while five votes were spoiled. The presidential position for which Motswaledi and Pilane contested was the only one with opposing candidates.

The rest of the hopefuls sailed through to the executive committee unopposed. These included Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Botsalo Ntuane (vice president), Member of Parliament for Lobatse Nehemiah Modubule (national chairperson), Francistown South legislator Wynter Mmolotsi (secretary general) and Gilbert Mangole (vice secretary general).  For the position of Treasurer-General, it looked like Odirile Motlhale, who was nominated and seconded in absentia would face some opposition when delegates from Bobirwa North nominated Lindi Maripe.

However, nobody seconded his nomination ensuring that the South East South legislator was also voted into the executive committee unopposed. The position for deputy treasurer-general went to Binkie Kerileng, while the post of National Policy Director went to Ndaba Gaolathe. Kabo Morwaeng was elected Organising Secretary.

Speaking at an impromptu news conference after being voted in, Motswaledi said that he was happy with the turnout of the congress, and that they have, as a new party, successfully gone through the business of a national congress.

'The first congress of any organisation is a historical one, and it's cause for celebration and thrill,' he said.

Motswaledi added that he had no doubt that he and Pilane will continue working well together for the good of the party.  For his part, Pilane conceded that he was disappointed at losing, just as anybody who loses will be disappointed. 

'I am a strong member of the party, and that won't change,' he added. Pilane also dismissed allegations that he had bought votes, saying that he had given some constituencies financial assistance as well as T-shirts to allow them to come for the congress.

'My attitude was that I was doing this for the benefit of the party. It's extreme for anybody to suggest that by giving assistance I was buying votes,' he said. Additional members of the executive committee are: Freddy Ramodise, Richard Oaitse, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli, Maria Sola, Hilda Sibisibi, Sennye Kono, Donald Keogotsitse, Vista Moruti, Molapisi Molaakgosi, Maliki Mmohe, Mothusi Sebati, Pelonomi Namogang, Bobby Babusi, Alan Sokwe and Brigadier Iphemeleng Kgokgothwane,