The septuagenarian Nkawana schooled at Swaneng between 1972 and 1976. However, his involvement in the public service saw him exercising restraint and remaining slothful in politics. The 70-year-old legislator had an illustrious career in public service spanning more than 34 years before he finally retired. At some point, he was the principal of the Wildlife Training College. Nkawana’s character is marked by candour, forthrightness, and a direct communication style. In other words, he is outspoken and would never hold back his opinion. He has chosen to serve his constituents with distinction. “Although I was a public servant, my urge to participate in political activism kept growing. The public service is one of those learning grounds that pushed me further into the political space,” explains Nkawana. When he left the public service, he fully participated in local politics through his political home, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
His first parliamentary contest was in Gaborone South in 2009; the second was in Selebi-Phikwe East in 2014; the third was in Selebi-Phikwe East in 2019; and the fourth was in Selebi-Phikwe East in 2024. The last two attempts paid off, as he is now in his second term as a legislator. He is convinced that Selebi-Phikwe, in general, is the base of the BCP, and it has been so for many years. However, he cautions that one has to do the right things, especially now that the party’s advocacy, particularly in Parliament, resonates strongly with the electorate’s expectations. “It has always been a given that the representation provided in Parliament by BCP MPs is above board, and thus the electorates view the BCP as an alternative,” he adds. Maun West legislator and Opposition Whip, Caterpillar Hikuama, says Nkawana is the BCP’s tactician and marksman. Hikuama presents Nkawana as patient and loyal to the BCP course. “As the Opposition Whip for the BCP, I look across our caucus and see many formidable minds.
