The BDP runs in the family tree

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday July 25, 2008 00:00

 

President Ian Khama succeed his father, Sir Seretse Khama who was the founding leader. When he was the MP for Serowe North West, Khama was not challenged in the BDP primaries. His younger brother, Tshekedi Khama succeeded his older brother in Serowe North West. 

Tshekedi was not challenged in the BDP primaries. BDP youth leader, Gomolemo Motswaledi dared to challenge Tshekedi but was warned to back off. Ian hinted a long time ago that Tshekedi would succeed him.

There is speculation that Ian will appoint Tshekedi his vice-president next year so that he takes over from him as the president when his term of office expires in 10 years. 
It is not only the Khama siblings who followed their father into politics.

Serowe North East MP and Minister of Justice, Defence and Security, Ndelu Seretse, has followed in his father's foot steps, the late former vice president, Lenyeletse Seretse. 

Ndelu and Ian are cousins. They also used to be together in the army where Ian was the commander while Ndelu was brigadier, a senior post in the army hierarchy. After Ndelu was beaten by a commoner, Kgotla Autlwetse, in the 2003 primaries, the BDP ordered a re-run. Some believed that Ndelu was favoured for his surname. He won the re-run.

In the past former Serowe MP, Roy Blackbeard, took over from his father, the late Collin Blackbeard. Roy later vacated his seat for Ian Khama who retired from the army in 1998.  He was rewarded with a diplomatic post as the country's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom (UK).  

In 1999, Tshelang Masisi, the son of former cabinet minister and Moshupa MP, the late Edison, also became the MP for Francistown West. Tshelang is still the MP for Francistown West although in the past some of the party members attacked him because he is not a member of a tribe in the region.

In the mid '90s, after the MP for Kweneng South and former Vice-President, Peter Mmusi died, the party approached his businessman son, Kagiso Mmusi to take over his seat.  However, Mmusi junior declined the offer as he said his lifestyle did not suit politics.  Kagsio does not regret his decision since he has become one of the top indigenous businessmen in the country.

Kagiso's older brother, Lesedi Mmusi, wants their father's seat. Lesedi is one of the parliamentary candidates for Kweneng South constituency where he is going to contest with Dr John Seakgosing. Lesedi is a former army pilot. He has also worked for BP Botswana as a public relations officer. He later set up his own promotions company.

At Tlokweng, Shirley, daughter of former Minister of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs, Motlatsi Segokgo, was appointed specially elected MP in 1999. She was not successful in her bid to gain candidacy at the BDP primaries for 2009. Other of children of former leading members of the BDP are challenging for the party's parliamentary primaries. 

Lesang Magang, the son of former Letsweletau MP and cabinet minister, David, is challenging for the primary elections in that constituency. Lesang will contest against incumbent MP, Moeng Pheto. He is expected to give Pheto a run for his money. 

But Lesang is not a newcomer to politics as he has served the party before. He was once the chairperson of the BDP youth league. He later quit active politics to concentrate on the family's real estate business. He has now decided to make a come back to politics.

In Ngami, Thato Kwerepe, the son of the former MP, Gaerolwe Kwerepe, is challenging the sitting MP, Jacob Nkate. Thato is working hard and Nkate does not take his challenge lightly.  

Thato, a former secondary school head teacher, is backed by his father who is well known in the constituency, especially amongst the farmers.

In Moshupa, the late MP, Edison Masisi's son, Thulaganyo Masisi is also contesting the primaries. Masisi has just retired from the BDF where he rose to the rank of brigadier.
He was once in charge of the BDF's peace keeping mission in Somalia and Lesotho. His troops were credited discharging themselves well in Somalia and Lesotho. 

But in Fracistown South, one of the candidates' father was from an enemy camp.  Bahadzisi Maripe, is the daughter of the former president of the Botswana People's Party (BPP), the late Dr Knight Maripe.

Maripe will contest against incumbent MP, Khumo Maoto and Wynter Mmolotsi who was initially vetted out. But Mmolotsi was later given the go ahead to contest the primaries.