Maripe's son jostles for BPP presidency

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Thursday April 4, 2013 00:00

 

He was a marvel to watch when addressing a BPP political rally in a booming voice, articulating issues only in his mother tongue of Ikalanga or English with a Setswana interpreter in tow. Now his son is stepping up to the podium seeking to reclaim the presidency in the footsteps of the father.

Less than a year after joining the BPP from the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), businessman Lindelwa Thobani Tumedi Maripe has reportedly declared his interest in contesting the party's presidency.The son of the late BPP leader and co-founder Dr Maripe, Lindelwa, is reportedly expected to challenge for the presidency during elections at the BPP's one-day elective conference on May 26 in Kalamakati village.

However, when contacted for comment Maripe desperately tried to down play such talk. 'I am yet to decide if I should contest the elections. I will decide soon because we are about to go to the elective conference. Call me next week. Maybe by then I will have made a decision,' he said.  Highly placed sources within the party have revealed to Mmegi that Maripe was also interested in contesting the Tati East constituency parliamentary seat at the 2014 general elections. The sources persisted that should he triumph in his bid for the presidency, he intends to use the position to sway the electorate in his favour at the general elections.

'He has already begun lobbying other party members to support him in his quest for the party presidency. He believes that if he is elected president this could boost his chances of winning the Tati Constituency,' said one source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. 

Other party members reportedly interested in challenging the party's top position are vice president (VP) Khumbulani William and party national chairman Richard Gudu. The move by Lindelwa is likely to upset the applecart as William has for a long time been tipped heir-apparent of the current president, Motlatsi Molapise who will be stepping down in May.

When questioned about his ambitions for the presidency seat Williams was also evasive. He disclosed this week that though he will be contesting for positions in the National Executive Committee (NEC) elections, he is yet to decide about the presidency. However sources at the party maintained that William has already made up his mind and will contest the presidential position next month. Gudu distanced himself from the presidential race in an interview yesterday. 'Contesting the presidency has never crossed my mind. However, if there is nothing stopping me from serving the party there is no need for me to contest the presidency,' he said.

Should Lindelwa assume the BPP presidency, he will be emulating other political parties in Botswana whose current presidents were sons for former presidents of the parties. The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) whose first president, Sir Seretse Khama has his son, Ian Khama as the current president while the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) had Gil Saleshando as president who passed the baton to his son, Dumelang Saleshando.

Meanwhile, during an interview with Mmegi yesterday, party secretary general Thabani Peter has confirmed his interest in the vice presidency.He further said plans for the May 26 conference are underway and they expect to have completed preparations within the next few weeks.