In 2004 I was Phagenyane Phage’s campaign manager when he slimly lost Mogoditshane North ward with a margin of 26. Everyone thought, come 2009, Phage was going to win it. An opening occurred in 2007 when the councillor for Mmopane passed on and there was a by-election.
Phage took a very unpopular decision to contest the by-election. A number of people, including party elders were against his decision to relocate, having learnt from the relocation of Kgosipula from Mogoditshane to Lentsweletau that voters shun people who hop from place to another. One other factor was that in the general election, the BCP came a distant third. He informed me, but just like those who were not comfortable with his move, I expressed my misgivings. But Phage stayed put and went ahead with his decision to relocate. First there was an intra party primary election and Phage emerged victorious.
A week before the by-election I dreamt Phage’s victory and I told him the following day. The dream coupled with information I was getting on the ground stirred up some confidence in me that the BCP can make history and win the ward. The by-election day came, I worked like a mule that day ferrying people to the polling stations and when the results were read Phage was the victor, having beaten the BDP candidate with a margin of 4.
The BNF was a far distant third. Many thought his win was a fluke. But 2009 came and Phage defended the ward with an increased margin. This meant Mmopane was now cemented as one of the BCP strongholds. Even to date, Mmopane is almost a no go zone, ikubulawayo, a BCP safe haven. Sometime two years ago, Cde Phage expressed his desire to contest a parliamentary seat. At first he had intended to contest former Kweneng South East. But when the delimitation exercise separated his ward of Mmopane from the bulk of Kweneng South East, and placing it in the new Lentsweletau-Mmopane constituency, Phage did not take time to declare his interest to contest it. Hereto, some cdes dismissed his move as suicidal.
They suggested he should contest one of the new Ledumadumane wards instead. I want to admit that I was one of the sceptics when phage made that move. That was during the time Lesang Magang was rumoured to wanting to challenge Moeng Pheto.
But the ever resilient Phage pressed on with his intention. He started mobilising in a constituency that has been known to be a BDP stronghold for many years. But the way the dynamics of the constituency have changed, they have resulted in a change of attitude on Phage’s candidature in Lentsweletau-Mmopane. I now see Phage as a fore teller, someone who sees things from a distance and grasps opportunities that no one else sees. The BDP wrangles and bickerings have bolstered Phage’s chances beyond any measure of doubt. We should not be surprised when Cde Phage, “Lister” as he is popularly know lends in parliament this year. He is such an amazing character.
