Of the five nominees, three - the majority - are men. Before his favourites were humiliated at the Kanye congress on Monday, Khama had launched a public campaign to promote women in the party. But when he finally got the chance to walk the talk, he helped to entrench the dominance of men in the party. He roped in Vice-President Mompati Merafhe, past immediate BDP secretary general, Jacob Nkate, ex-Central Committee member, Isaac Seloko alongside two females, councillor Malebogo Kruger and former BDP Women's Wing chairperson, Tebelelo Seretse as additional members. His choice seems to be driven by a dilemma and desperation to appease allies he prevailed upon to forego their political ambitions in the party only to suffer utter humiliation. The BDP elections in Kanye produced a one-faction Central Committee after the Kedikilwe-Kwelagobe group or Barataphathi crushed the A-Team or the Nkate-Merafhe faction. It was therefore logical that Khama ropes in people whom he feels can neutralise the powerful voices of the Kwelagobe-Kedikilwe group in the Central Committee. However, he had to balance this against his claim that he wants women to occupy positions of influence in the party. Eventually, he failed to live to his words when he had the opportunity to deliver.
The BDP Central Committee has 18 members 10 of which are elected by the party congress and five by the president. Chairpersons of the Women's Wing and the National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC) and the party president complete the list of Central Committee members. After the BDP elections, Khama has failed the test as a 'pragmatist'. His wish was to use his presidential powers to elect faction leaders to the Central Committee to fill the available five positions in an endeavour to neutralise factionalism in the party. The approach was only going to work if faction leaders did not contest the elections for substantive party positions.
