The wealthy businessman-cum-politician walloped President Ian Khama’s home girl and cabinet minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi to get the BDP top job. The Tati East MP got 467 votes to Venson-Motoi’s 402 to succeed the veteran Daniel Kwelagobe who publicly supported his opponent. The win is a historic feat for a relative newcomer to the BDP, who once committed the cardinal sin of helping to engineer the first and so far only split in the party. Not too long ago, it was difficult to imagine that Moyo may become BDP chairman. After running away from the BDP in acrimonious circumstances with a group of rebels, he became treasurer of the newly fashioned Botswana Democratic Movement (BMD). But he has bounced back strongly to become the first person from the northern part of the country to become BDP chairman. In doing this, he thwarted what would have been another historic win as Venson-Moitoi was poised to become the first female BDP chairperson. In the end, Moyo’s alliance proved too much for the Venson-Moitoi team.
Secretary general Mpho Balopi defended his seat after a landslide victory against Shoshing MP Dikgang Phillip Makgalemele and Isaac Seloko.Balopi got 586 votes while Makgalemele and Seloko garnered 51 and 203 votes respectively. Malebogo Kruger scooped 452 votes to be retained as deputy secretary general. Other hopefuls for the position, former High Court Judge Unity Dow and former youth leader Bontsi Monare attracted 91 and 260 votes respectively. Businessman Satar Dada was unopposed for the position of party treasurer. Khama’s associate, Thapelo Olopeng, an ally of Moyo’s was voted Dada’s deputy defeating the incumbent Kagiso Mmusi.Olopeng scooped 476 votes while Mmusi had 275. Abel Molelo, Kitso Seloma, Mmapula Phuduhudu, Lesego Raditanka and Victor Motobake were elected additional members from the floor.
