Molepolole: Monageng vs Kwelagobe

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

 

Monageng knows what he is up against. Any professional hunter worth his salt is cautious about the most dangerous animal species. 
When the hunter is on a hunting expedition for buffalo or a leopard, he is always on the alert. 

He knows that with these two animals, if you miss you are gone.  It is either you kill the animal or it ravages you.
This is the challenge that Monageng is faced with in the contest against Kwelagobe. Kwelagobe has fought many battles he has always emerged unscathed leaving his opponents licking their wounds.

During the 2003 primary elections, Monageng tried his luck against the veteran BDP activist but he failed to upset the apple cart. Monageng is raring for another bruising battle.

Speaking in an interview, Monageng said he has covered quite some ground with his campaign team. He is hopeful that the results of this hard work will show. He said unlike in 2003, he has ample time to campaign.

Monageng says he never disappeared from the party after he was defeated in 2003.
Monageng says Kwelagobe has always been the BDP strongman. 

'His contribution to politics is enormous. The fact that he is the chairperson of the party also gives him an edge.  But being an MP is different from being a party chair person,' he said.

He cited that in other countries, people are discouraged to contest against the party chairperson. 'But in the BDP everyone can be challenged. It shows tolerance of democracy and maturity in our party'.

Monageng says he is happy with the contribution that Kwelagobe has made to the party. 'But we are basically talking about representing Molepolole in parliament. I feel I am the right candidate,' he says.

Monageng, also the chairperson of the Kweneng Rural Development Association (KRDA), says he is standing in Molepolole to avoid a leadership vacuum when Kwelagobe retires.  'At one time Kwelagobe will retire. There should always be somebody on stand by. I think I am ready to take over. It would be a blessing to have a new MP and Kwelagobe will be my mentor,' he says.

Monageng believes it is unfair to have one representative forever. 'It is time that somebody else should be delegated'.

There has been concern that Kwelagobe has been running community leadership seminars to alert people about government programmes in the run up to the general election.  Some BDP members say that he might be using the seminars as a campaign tool.

He has also been sponsoring football tournaments in the constituency. Monageng says he is aware about the seminars that Kwelagobe has been hosting and he has attended some. 

'I see it as a good initiative by an MP to alert people about government programmes,' Monageng says. He said it would only raise eyebrows if the seminars are held during the countdown to the elections only.  'But I believe he has reasons whey he held the seminar during this period'.

He says he is also aware of the soccer tournaments that Kwelagobe has been sponsored, adding that as a leader one should always be involved in community activities.
He says the only shortcoming is that the activities coincide with the primaries and other people might read between the lines.

'We shall be looking forward to more of these activities after the elections,' he said.
He describes his relationship with Kwelagobe as cordial. He says they are brothers. 'We are not in a wrestling match. We are racing together for a common goal'.

Kwelagobe says he does not have any qualms with Monageng challenging him. The veteran politician expressed confidence that he is going to be elected. He says their campaign is clean. 

'There have been no controversies,' he said.
Kwelagobe said there have been new projects like a new hospital, a nurses'school and road construction in the village since he was MP. 
He says there is a need for a new police station and tribal administration offices.  He says there is also a need for storm water drains.