Africa-Press – Botswana. Former Cabinet minister Nonofo Molefhi is unlikely to gain the support of his region Bobonong, Mmadinare and Selebi-Phikwe (BOMA-SE) ahead of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) elective congress scheduled for August this year.
This comes after Molefhi revealed that he will challenge the current party chairman who is also the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane.
BOMASE regional Secretary Godfrey Mbaiwa told in an interview that although Molefhi has informed them of his interest to contest for the party chairmanship position through a text message that was sent to the regional committee WhatsApp group, delegates will be at liberty to choose and elect their preferred candidate.
“It is true that Molefhi has notified us as a collective through social media that he intends to contest for the party chairmanship seat. He is one of us but accord ing to our system and constitution it does not mean that we will support a person from day one,” he said.
He highlighted that it will lie with theelected regional delegates to cast a vote on whoever fits their preferable description.
“We conducted our regional congress last month and the elected delegates will bear the sole responsibility to elect their preferred candidates. Mbaiwa said it is also early days since Molefhi has made a declaration.”
“As of now we only know the Vice President Tsogwane as party chairman,so candidates are just candidates,” added Mbaiwa. He stated that they remain open to all candidates contesting different positions to approach them. Meanwhile, Molefhi also confirmed that he will be contesting the chairmanship race.
“I have informed both the leadership of the party and my region of the decision that I have taken ahead of the congress,”he said. He said he now intends to engage various structures to seek support adding no one has joined his lobby yet.
“I will now be drumming up for support and possibly engaging those seeking to work with me to compose a team,” said Molefhi. Molefhi said he remains open to anyone within the party seeking to work with him ahead of the congress.
On the other hand, Political analyst Keaoleboga Dipogiso said it is important to first note that every member of an organization, in good standing, is at liberty to contest for positions adding that in this case, it is the membership of the party that will decide their preference at the congress.
“However, this is not just an election. It comes at a time when the party faces various tests of governance and a high rate of incidence of deep state controversies. The Congress elections will either pass confidence on the incumbent party leader, assert their grip on the party or simply rock their boat. Remember that this is probably the first time that the party does not have an open influence and control over the Khama dynasty, which acted as stabilizing forces. Hence it may expe-rience shocks and surprises regarding who becomes the new hegemony in the party,” said Dipogiso.He also said the joining in the race by Molefhi should not be taken lightly saying that he is a candidate whose name has been taunted by the Botswana Patriotic Front(BPF) folk.
“As I said in the past, in the BDP there still exists remnants of the past regime, who are still inclined to the former President. As to what he may do to win elections, I think it is common cause that he must appeal to the structures of the party. He can only win elections when he is popularly accepted within the structures, such that the congress delegates will prefer him over other contestants. The same applies to the competitor,” he said.
Dipogiso said on the other hand current party chairman Slumber Tsogwane must embrace the challenge as an opportunity to test his popularity within the party. This will be the second time Molefhi will seek to contest for the seat.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
