PALAPYE: When Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members queue for the candidate of their choice in the party's primary election re-run here, the real battle will be between Moiseraele Goya and Minister of Health, Sheila Tlou. Although there are three candidates in the re-run, Isaac Maforaga, who came fourth last December, seems to be trailing; even before the real battle commences. Ogone Mogano, who got third position last year tendered her letter of non-participation last Saturday. Goya and Tlou are newcomers in active BDP politics but they are both hard workers and strategists. They also command respect among their supporters and campaign teams. Having won last year's primaries, Goya has the psychological advantage. But it seems he will not rest on his laurels and imagine fictitious images of himself in parliament. Goya, a man of few words, is confronted with the reality that he is battling for the BDP ticket against a strong contender in Tlou, who got into the campaign with four Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) councillors out of six. In her stable, she has councillors, Tshokodiso Raboloko, Onnetse Ramogapi, Texan Rantape and Botsalo Nsunge whilst Goya has Meisie Ndubo and Tebogo Apei.Tlou could stage a major upset. Goya is certain that his supporters will not disappoint. From Wednesday this week, it was not easy for Goya to answer his mobile phone 'because it often interrupts the campaigns'.
He admits they have hardly had time to socialize, given the demands of the campaign.They were with ordinary people just less than two months ago. Now they have to polish their appeals for a vote. His supporters are sure that they are going to widen their margin this time around.In the Tlou camp, they have vowed to leave no stone unturned. Ramogapi was almost certain that this time around they are going to teach Goya politics. "We have covered almost the whole area and people are positive," Ramogapi said on Wednesday. By yesterday, nothing had changed as he stressed that they were on the road to victory. This group is better resourced in terms of the availability of motor vehicles and feeding the campaign teams. If these were the best tools to win an election, then they would simply walk to victory. Both groups enjoy a positive reception as they move around. The scorching heat in Palapye does not seem to be a hindrance at all. They also expect to benefit from the continued registration exercise at the Tsholetsa hall, where the party has dispatched two officers to do the job. In the December exercise, some people did not vote because they did not have cards, whilst others did not appear on the voters' rolls. It is expected that many people will turn up for the elections.
