Palapye campaigns fashion Tlou as Khama's VP

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday February 8, 2008 00:00

In Palapye, BDP faithfuls have been spreading the word very fast that Khama, who will in April 1 be ascending to the country's state presidency, 'prefers Tlou as his VP for the transitional period'.

President Festus Mogae is relinquishing power at the end of March passing the baton to Khama.

Some people have dismissed this as a mere 'campaign gimmick' by the pro-Tlou group bent on gaining numbers for a re-run of the Palapye constituency billed for February 16. Some do believe the rumour.

In particular, some BDP members believe that Tlou is being handled with kid gloves following a recommendation by the party chairman, Khama, to declare a re-run for the Palapye primaries. This follows an inquiry into Tlou's protest against the December 22 primaries' results, which was led by the deputy secretary general, Kentse Rammidi. Other members of the team are Communications Science and Technology Minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and BDP executive secretary, Dr. Comma Serema.

Tlou lost the primaries to Moiseraele 'Master' Goya who got 633 votes to her 627. Other losers include Ogone Mogano who got 88 votes and Isaac Maforaga who was voted by 76 people.

The decision to order a re-run of the primaries in Palapye has set tongues wagging, with some party members saying 'Tlou is given a second chance so that it is ensured that she wins by hook or crook'.

It further reinforces allegations that Tlou remains the party leadership's preferred candidate. Tlou has explained that she is managing her campaign in Palapye without favours, helped only by her 'except my campaign team'.

This means that Tlou has to win the February 16 party primaries and proceed to win the by-election at a date to be set the President.

Palapye, because it is a BDP stronghold, provides a free ride to Parliament. If she loses the re-run then it would remain a pipe dream for her to move to State House 'number two', at least before 2009 general election.

Contacted about the circulating rumour yesterday, Tlou said: 'That is wishful thinking. I have not even thought of it. Look, being a minister is hard enough with one having to supervise the whole ministry and make decisions'.

She added that people have started campaigning for a re-run in Palapye whilst she was working very hard at her ministry.

Those in the know say that Khama is likely to install a neutral force to take over the VP responsibilities only for the transition period-from April 1 to the next general election.

He is fully aware of what is likely to happen within his team of old guards if anyone of them is appointed ahead of others.

The frontrunners that have been touted as possible VP pick-ups include ministers, Daniel Kwelagobe, Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Jacob Nkate, Neo Moroka and Venson-Moitoi.

These are the people who have the requisite experience to run a government and would be very helpful in Khama's administration.

They are believed to have what it takes to help out Khama, who apparently has a problem mainly with policy issues as compared to the outgoing Mogae who served as a technocrat for along time.      

BDP executive secretary, Dr Comma Serema said yesterday that the issue of the VP remains the prerogative of the president in office and the party does not elect a VP.

'There is a difference between party matters and those of government,' he pointed out.                 

University of Botswana (UB) political science lecturer and political analyst, Dr Zibani Maundeni comments: 'What is going to happen is that we are likely to see a decentralised government with ministers running their affairs and only reporting on progress to Khama.

I don't think we are going to see much of him in the public fora because he does not want to associate much with government policies,' says Maundeni.

He feels that even on issues calling for the attention of the President, Khama would rather have his ministers do such errands on his behalf.

Maundeni adds: 'Say a Cabinet directive has been issued, it will be the responsibility of the respective ministers to see to the implementation of that new policy'.

He gave an example of issues like privatisation and the proposed Liquor Act, which Mogae articulated at relevant fora.  He does not imagine the same thing happening with Khama.

Another UB academic, Dr John Makgala says that although he has never given this issue a thought, he finds any move to have a woman politician as a VP to be a clever one. 'It will be a good thing and it would also show how progressive this nation is,' says Makgala.

To him, even for a long-term presidency, it would augur well for our democracy. Makgala believes that it would help the factionalism-prone BDP to strike a balance by roping in a woman from the southern region.

On his mind, he had Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Kokorwe who will be retiring from politics after the 2009 general election.

'A clever move would take care of the balance of the party's regions. By the way, you will recall that in the past, the BDP factionalism was, amongst others, sparked by the dominance of one region at the top leadership at the expense of others'.

To those in the know, Tlou is likely to emerge a surprise candidate provided she wins the party ticket on February 16 and ultimately the by-election.