A member of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Council of Elders, Ray Molomo, has expressed concern at the unprecedented high number of contenders for the position of party Chairman.
Molomo said in an interview last week that the high number of people vying for the party Chairmanship can in no way be deemed as democracy at play.
“This is a clear sign of immaturity. What happened to the spirit of people making way for others?” Molomo asked.
He said the position of Chairman needs someone who is well versed on the operations of the party, adding that he was perturbed by the high number of novices in the race.
“The party members will be taking a big risk if they give the position to some of the novices who are contesting. It might be easy to win the post, but carrying out the mandate that comes with the Chairmanship is no child’s play,” said Molomo. “Given the modern campaign tools and tactics that are used nowadays, anyone can win the election but the challenge comes with carrying out the mandate after the elections.”
His sentiments seem to be shared by former BDP Chairman Daniel Kwelagobe, who is of the view that the position needs a person who possesses a long and meaningful track record of activism in the party. When declaring his support for Tebelelo Seretse, Kwelagobe told Botswana Guardian newspaper that “… What is needed is not somebody who will become Chairperson to learn the goings-on in the party first, but someone who goes in there to lead the party”.
BDP goes for its elective congress in July and the contest for the position of Chairman has so far attracted seven candidates, being Tebelelo Seretse, Biggie Butale, Ramadeluka Seretse, Moemedi Dijeng, Seteng Motalaote, Dithapelo Tshotlego and Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
