Previously there had been robust debates surrounding the efficacy of keeping this now outdated practice of rewarding ruling party cronies and loyalists who could not make it to either Parliament or council chambers. At independence, the practice was meant primarily to compensate for inadequate skills and to bring in interest groups such as youth, women and people with disabilities to Parliament and councils. In practice, the nominations have never been used for the intended purpose.
Interestingly, many ruling party MPs supported cabinet minister, Ponatshego Kedikilwe during his day in the back-bench and when he moved a motion against the nomination of councillors in early 2005. Kedikilwe argued that the nominations have lost their intended purpose and that instead had been turned into a patronage exercise solely aimed at rewarding ruling party members. At the time, Kedikilwe's motion was fully supported by then president Festus Mogae. Even party strongman, Daniel Kwelagobe decried the practice calling for its abolition.
