Billy, a two-term Member of Parliament (MP), was beaten by his political protégé, Godisang Radisigo, who is also the Mayor of Francistown. Radisigo cruised to victory in a battle to secure candidacy for the BDP at the 2024 General Election in Francistown East constituency after he garnered 1,238 votes to Billy’s 1,131. Billy is the incumbent. It required a giant leap of faith for Radisigo, a former public transporter, to defeat Billy who was eyeing a third term in Parliament. Before Radisigo tested the waters, many had doubted that he would dislodge Billy from his seat and thought that he was fighting a losing battle against him.
But Radisigo defied the odds and punched above his weight to defeat Billy. Fighting in Radisigo’s corner were councillors Oduetse Tumelo and Eric Mabengano of Selepa and Ntshe wards respectively. In Billy’s corner were councillors Lesego Kwambala and Lillian Griesmeir of Itekeng and Central wards respectively. Rumours abound that Billy wasn't on good terms with Tumelo and Mabengano, a factor that may have contributed to his loss. The councillor for Donga ward, Morulaganyi Mothowabarwa, was not aligned with any of the sides hence when voters headed to the polls on Saturday, some gave Radisigo a slim chance of toppling Billy, a two-term MP who was not challenged in the BDP primaries in 2018.
