The trend has however, been shifting over the years. Politicians now appear to be using the position of mayor as a springboard or steppingstone towards attaining higher political office especially the position of Member of Parliament (MP).
The trend has been witnessed in various parts of the country such as Selebi Phikwe and Gaborone amongst others. It has however, become a common phenomenon in Francistown, especially among civic leaders belonging to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
Politicians in the city appear to be using the position of mayor to gain experience, build a strong political base, and increase their visibility before pursuing the position of MP.
This is because the position of mayor gives one an opportunity to traverse all parts of the city without being limited by wards or constituency jurisdictions as it is the case with the position of councillor or MP respectively. In addition, by virtue of occupying the position of mayor one enjoys the luxury of featuring in almost all key activities in the city, ultimately gaining more prominence. Since 2009 national election, parliamentary polls in Francistown have always featured at least one former mayor.
Notable examples in recent times are, former ruling party mayors Ignatius Moswaane and Buti Billy. They successfully transitioned to Parliament after using their mayoral roles to enhance their political profile. Moswaane first won a seat in Parliament under the BDP banner at the 2014 General Election, defeating the first opposition woman MP, Dr Habaudi Hobona of Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
He is now eyeing a third term under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) an opposition coalition. Billy lost the ruling party primaries two months ago. He has served two terms as Francistown East MP. He first made it to the National Assembly after defeating attorney Morgan Moseki who also represented the BCP, at the 2014 General Election. In his second term, which ended early this month, he doubled as the Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture.
In contrast, some, like Peter Ngoma have struggled to use the mayoral chain as a stepping stone to Parliament, failing to secure candidacy under the BDP for the 2004 General Election. Ngoma lost the primaries to the late Tshelang Masisi in Francistown West. Since then, his political career has been on a downward spiral and he has lost several bids to secure parliamentary candidacy for previous national elections.Equally, nominated councillor, While still with the ruling party, James Kgalajwe failed to secure candidacy for the 2019 general in Francistown East after serving as mayor. Kgalajwe’s bid to go parliament was thwarted by Billy at the BDP primaries, since his loss he has been in the political wilderness.
The outgoing Francistown mayor, Godisang Radisigo is the latest figure attempting to use the mayoral office as a steppingstone or launching pad to parliament. Prior to becoming mayor, he served as the deputy mayor to Sylvia Muzila. Radisigo, who recently defeated Billy at the BDP primaries, appears to have leveraged on his position as mayor to solidify his political profile.
There is no doubt that the role allowed him to strengthen his bid for the BDP primaries as he was able to make connections with BDP diehards in the constituency, in the process gaining more visibility, while Billy was seized with ministerial duties. It is also inevitable that Radisigo will attempt to leverage on the profile or reputation he built during his tenure as mayor to win the 2024 gGneral Election in Francistown East, where he will be up against Tiroyaone Ntsima of the UDC and BCP’s Vain Mamela.
This week, Radisigo moderately downplayed suggestions that politicians in the city chiefly use the position of mayor as a launching pad to Parliament or furthering their political aspirations.
“ It depends on circumstances. But that is not always is the case. I would say former mayors often contest for parliamentary positions because they are solely motivated by the desire to advance the way they serve the nation. It does not necessarily mean that they want to primarily use the position of mayor as a launchpad or steppingstone to high political office. Sometimes it is just a coincidence,” he said.
Radisigo told Mmegi that when he became mayor, he never had an idea of contesting for a parliamentary position in future.
“ I wanted to become a councillor for two terms then explore other opportunities outside politics. My assumption is that an individual should not stay in one position for a very long time. One must grow. I did not necessarily aspire to contest for a parliamentary position but like I said circumstances change.”
He added: “ It is just a coincidence that I decided to contest for a parliamentary position immediately after serving as a mayor. I am motivated by nothing else but the desire to serve people of Francistown East. The role of mayor should not be viewed as a stepping stone to higher political office.”
For his part, Moswaane conceded that growing sentiments that the position of mayor is used as a stepping stone to high political office has an element of truth. He added that contesting for parliamentary positions by mayors is a tradition that has been there for ages and will not cease any time soon, given the political dynamics in the country.
“ No one want to stay in one position forever and politicians are no exception. Once you become a mayor it fuels your ambition to explore other growth opportunities including going to Parliament. Transitioning to Parliament is usually the easiest and most viable option for former mayors or councillors given the fact that they are already familiar with the game of politics,” Moswaane told Mmegi yesterday.
