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Monageng: It's been 21 years in the making

Shima Monageng
Shima Monageng

Member of Parliament (MP) for Molepolole South, Shima Monageng, says he doesn't take his victory in the recent change of government elections lightly simply because it has been 21 years in the making.

Monageng, representing the coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) from Alliance for Progressives (AP), was on Friday declared the winner of Molepolole South Constituency. He garnered a total of 8,266 votes ahead of the former area MP, Kabo Morwaeng of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), who managed to get 5,902 votes. Following his win, Monageng spoke with The Monitor about his political journey despite failing four times to become an MP.

His love for helping people and his wanting to see change influenced his love for politics. "My dream to become an MP started in 2003, that is 21 years ago. It has been my desire to see myself representing Bakwena in Parliament but it wasn't only a desire," he explained. "I'm interested to see Molepolole transform development-wise. I want to see youth getting employed, see the health sector improve and most importantly end shortage of water in the village amongst other things." The MP explained that he wants to represent the village in the most honest way to advance the interest of the people rather than seeking self-fulfilment, which is why he would forge strong relations with the councillors to see how best they can work together. He assured the voters that he will be hands-on as they were the ones who made it possible for him to become the MP and represent their interests.

"When you are an MP, you are elected by the people, therefore, you have to be near them, get to know their issues, and try to bring solutions. You can't disappear then reappear after five years to seek another term," Monageng said. He acknowledged that one can only succeed in the political space by engaging with the people he represents and not by isolation which is the mistake most politicians make after being elected. On their victory of becoming the current government as UDC, Monageng said it was evident that Batswana were desperate for change. "The result was a massive lesson that when someone isn't happy, pay attention and listen. Even if we aren't going to listen to Batswana, and relax whilst they are suffering they won't be hesitant to remove us just after one term. We also have to accept that there is time for change and that is what the citizens did. It didn't matter how long it took, but change was coming," he said.

He stated they will be under immense pressure because Batswana are expecting a lot from them and that the manifesto will lead them to deliver their promise to the nation. Meanwhile, Monageng who stood for parliamentary elections a fifth time, ran against Morwaeng who was the area incumbent, former area MP Tlamelo Mmatli of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), Botswana Congress Party's (BCP) Kagiso Gopolang, and independent candidate Kuswani Ntloedibe.

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