Parly goes live
The year 2020 saw government finally implement a motion passed by the National Assembly in 2013 to air parliamentary proceedings on state broadcaster Botswana Television (Btv). Passed in the 10th Parliament, the motion to air parliamentary proceedings was finally implemented during the 12th Parliament. The motion had been tabled by then Selebi-Phikwe West Member of Parliament Gilson Saleshando seeking to give voters access to proceedings.
This has been a hit with voters as they can now follow their leaders' contributions live. Voters finally know what really goes on at Parliament. They can see when good motions are shot down and they can also see when legislators sometimes behave like children.
BPF raids Domkrag
The new entrant in the political landscape Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) continued to make inroads, especially in the Central District. The party recruited into its fold a good number of councillors from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). One of them is Pinny Morupisi, councillor for Malaka-Lecheng ward in the Lerala-Maunatlala constituency and spouse to former permanent secretary to the President Carter Morupisi. As if that were not enough, just before Parliament passed motions to bar politicians from defecting from their parties, Jwaneng-Mabutsane legislator Mephato Reatile joined his political father Ian Khama at his new home, BPF.
Meanwhile, Francistown West legislator Ignatius Moswaane also quit the BDP to join the UDC after he was suspended for ranting against the party on social media. Outspoken Tonota legislator Pono Moatlhodi also quit the UDC and retraced his steps to the BDP. He said this was because Leader of Opposition Dumelang Saleshando and the UDC caucus had suspended him from Opposition whip position without consultation.
