University of Botswana academic and Botswana Democratic Party’s Culture and Publicity sub-committee member, Dr Raphael Dingalo, is said to be heading to the Office of the President where he will work hand in hand with the coordinator of government communication information systems(GCIS) Jeff Ramsay. Information reaching The Sunday Standard indicates that Dingalo’s appointment is already a given and it is only a matter of time before it is officially announced.
Ramsay could neither confirm nor deny the appointment suffice to say that, like all appointments to senior government positions, Dingalo’s appointment will be officially announced once it has been confirmed. “This is nothing to talk about at the moment, and we will announce the appointment as soon as it is confirmed,” he said.
Fro his part, Dingalo said that he will enjoy working at the Office of the President if he is appointed. He also maintained that he will be up to the task as he has a PhD in policy. Dingalo is presently employed in the Centre for Academic Development at the UB where he is involved in policy formulation to ensure that the university delivers quality education. “I have also been the chairman of the media complaints committee and, therefore, I have no qualms about taking up such a demanding appointment,” he said.
Asked if his active involvement in BDP politics will not compromise his appointment, Dingalo said that he will readily suspend BDP membership if he is appointed. Apart from his membership of the culture and publicity sub-committee, Dingalo was also one of the contenders for the Shoshong constituency but later dropped out of the race.
“Government bars public servants from active involvement in politics and I will readily suspend my activism in the BDP if I am appointed,” he said. With apparent reference to former Gaborone Mayor Nelson Ramaotwana, Dingalo also pointed out that members of the opposition have in the past resigned from their parties and joined the public service.
