Magama on the comeback trail
Friday, June 13, 2014
In 2004, after the passing of the former Botswana National Front (BNF) president and area MP, Magama sailed through and for five years was the toast of Gaborone’s most deprived areas. But the then BNF secretary general had a falling out with the leadership of Otsweletse Moupo, and went into the 2009 general elections caught up in factional wars, and just about handed the constituency to Kagiso Molatlhegi of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
While Magama is hoping to regain the seat, Molatlhegi is fighting to retain it. Also in the mix is Murray Dipate of the Umbrella for Democratic Change. Dipate is no pushover, and is a veteran of the opposition politics – having served at different leadership structures of the BNF and BCP.
While it is widely acknowledged that Khama holds the title of Kgosi, the government’s failure to properly gazette his recognition has raised serious concerns about adherence to legal procedures and the credibility of traditional leadership. (See a story elsewhere in this newspaper.) Recent court documents by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse, shed light on the intricacies of Khama’s recognition process....