Boko, who was also a member of UDC founding member, Botswana National Front (BNF) unexpectedly quit politics citing many reasons amongst them ‘betrayals’ and ‘backstabbing’ which he said were suffocating him. The former youthful Member of Parliament (MP) won the constituency in the 2019 General Election with 4,323 votes against Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) Dr Ditshupo Maje who received 3,786 votes. Saleshando over the weekend in Mahalapye indicated that the UDC is thankless and has left the area without a MP with a few months left before the 2024 General Election. “UDC has registered this constituency at Masiela Trust Fund. It is the only constituency which will not have a voice as we discuss the constitution review,” he said.
Saleshando, who was launching BCP Mahalapye East MP candidate Ethel Gampone, said in the latter the BCP has what they need to make up for UDC’s ungrateful gesture. The BCP leader said Gampone comes at a time when the constituency has been left abandoned by the UDC. “Mahalapye East we are here to give you an MP, a woman of stature who doesn’t use the gender card because she knows her worth. She is a businesswoman who has proved her competence,” Saleshando emphasised. He added that Mahalapye East constituents should do themselves a favour by voting for Gampone in the October polls. He said as the BCP targets 31 MP seats at this year’s General Election, they are banking on Mahapye East. For her part, Gampone who is also BCP Women’s League vice president, said she is not a visitor in the constituency and she is contesting there because the needs of Mahalapye East require a determined and visionary person. She said she has traversed the constituency where she has seen various social ills. “Mahalapye East needs people who will stand up for their community, not individuals who want to enrich themselves with government tenders. “We have become the forgotten ones who don’t exist in the Botswana map,” she outlined.
Gampone is mostly known as a businesswoman and worked with corporate brand franchisees Nando's Botswana, Engen Marketing Botswana, and Pizza Perfect. She was a franchisee for Nando's Botswana operator for 14 years, Engen Marketing for 16 years and Pizza Perfect for seven years.
In terms of education, Gampone holds a diploma in Accounting a degree in Divinity, and is currently pursuing another degree in Accounting and Human Resources. Gampone is described as a community builder who has actively participated in the development of the village business community positively. She is regarded as a fearless politician believing in the rule of law and democracy. Gaompone indicated during the Women’s League conference in January that men have made the political landscape not conducive to them, therefore, women must fight with all that they have to get their space. “Botswana must be run by both men and women. Men can't give you leadership roles on a silver platter. “We have to fight for the positions to lead and advocate women and children issues,” she said. As she sets her eyes on Mahalapye East, which is currently without an MP, Gampone has a mountain to climb specifically because for a long time the constituency has been a stronghold of the BDP then under Botlogile Tshireletso.
