Ramogapi: The lone political wolf

FRANCISTOWN: Ramogapi’s defection to the opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) prior to the 2019 general election has given him ample time to work on a seemingly conservative Palapye constituency that has enjoyed loyalty to the ruling BDP since independence in 1966. It was almost unthinkable for anyone to imagine that one day, any party ousting the ruling party from its long time stronghold of Palapye. Traditionally, within the BDP of years of yore, winning the party ticket was akin to winning the real elections given the conservative nature of the electorate in the area.

James Olesitse, the Palapye-based businessman-cum politician was the epitome of a perennial loser at the hands of the BDP. His decision to step down paving way for the current MP, somewhat paid dividends. It has since changed the political landscape of Palapye indicating that everything was possible. Olesitse has since been rewarded with appointment to the office of the MP in Palapye after his efforts to oust he BDP decades ago proved very hard to realise.