After sacrificing him in the past to pave the way for another coalition affiliate, Botswana Patriotic Front, the UDC has finally settled for Motshegwa to represent the coalition in Mmadinare. He was launched during an occasion boasting a star-studded line-up headed by UDC president Duma Boko, his vice Ndaba Gaolathe, chairman Molatsi Molapise, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Dithapelo Keorapetse, Member of Parliament for Francistown West, Ignatius Moswaane as well as Ford Moiteela. However, it did not attract the numbers one would have expected. The stakes seem high against Motshegwa.
Whilst the UDC has placed its faith in the veteran trade unionist to deliver the constituency, he may find it tough if the weekend attendance is to be used to gauge the strength of the UDC. Although attendance during launches could be misleading, they could assist to measure the party’s popularity in an area. The weekend attendance paints a gloomy picture for the politician and the UDC.
Although many people are of the view that Motshegwa had already made inroads in the area before the constituency was taken away from him, it seems like a tough call for him to win this constituency. The constituency, currently in the hands of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), covers villages or wards such as Damochutjenaa, Sefophe, Tobane, Tshokwe, Robelela and Mmadinare.
Motshegwa will battle against the BDP’s Kefentse Mzwinila, the Botswana Congress Party’s (BCP) Sennye Obuseng and Jacob Mosimanyana of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) during the general election.
The area has been a BDP stronghold for ages but the UDC is banking on Motshegwa, born and bred in Mmadinare to win it. His status as a member of the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC) and also the Botswana National Front (BNF) secretary general, he is expected to put a spirited fight.
Motshegwa was also at some point set to contest for the Gaborone Bonnington South constituency seat again but was forced to make way for Gaolathe when the AP joined the UDC last year. Gaolathe and Motshegwa fought on opposite sides in 2019, but voter splitting between the two meant that BDP’s Christian Greeff emerged the victor, snatching away the area from the opposition.
Gaolathe was the incumbent at the time and he came second with 3, 461 votes. Motshegwa was third with 2, 367 votes while Greeff got 4, 603 votes to emerge the winner. This back and forth might also work against him. Up until earlier this year, Motshegwa was uncertain about his candidacy for this year’s general elections. The battle for this constituency is expected to produce fireworks as all the candidates are not pushovers. Mzwinila is a Cabinet minister and one of President Masisi’s trusted lieutenants, therefore his party will do everything to ensure that it retains the constituency.
On the other hand, the BCP has fielded an experienced economist who is revered for his commitment to governance and the rule of law to mark the two. By the look of things, the UDC is fully aware of the battle that awaits Motshegwa and should go all out to ensure that he gets a respectable homecoming. No doubt to his credentials, Motshegwa has his work cut out for him in pursuit of Mmadinare. Despite his experience in contesting elections from the union, his course will not be helped by a fragmented opposition.
This means vote splitting will be high among the opposition parties, which might be the biggest factor. While the BDP has its issues emanating from the recent primary elections fracas, the area has always remained its stronghold and the opposition needed to work as a unit to unseat it. But the party had to clear Mzwinila’s path after an appeal from incumbent MP, Molebatsi Molebatsi. The BDP has the resources to mobilise and lure voters to its candidate’s side even at the last minute.
