Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) factions are regrouping in preparations for the party’s 36th National Congress in July next year and heavy weights have started throwing their hats into the ring.
Former Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Ramadeluka Seretse and former Botswana ambassador in the United States of America Tebelelo Seretse, will slug it out for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairmanship.
Sunday Standard is informed that on Tuesday Tebelelo Seretse visited BDP councillors at the Central District Council chambers in Serowe where she asked for their support in the contest for the party’s top post. Hot on her heels was Ramadeluka Seretse who visited the council chambers the following day to lobby councilors’ support.
Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s name has also cropped but he has still not made it out of the starting blocks in the race for the party chair. Former Minister of Education Jacob Nkate is also expected to come back just before the congress and his name is also being bandied in the contest for the party chairmanship. Nkate is however in the same faction with Tebelelo Seretse and is unlikely to split the faction’s support base by challenging Seretse.
Botsalo Ntuane who is in the same camp with Nkate and Seretse is rumoured to be eyeing the Secretary General position. Ntuane who was recently voted to head the Gaborone Region is expected to challenge the incumbent secretary general Mpho Balopi. Tati West Member of Parliament Guma Moyo is expected to contest for the deputy treasurer position while Tonota South Member of Parliament Thapelo Olopeng will not contest for the same position that he currently holds. Ramadeluka Seretse confirmed to the Sunday Standard that he will be contesting for the party chairmanship in July next year. He highlighted that it was important for the BDP to continue to be relevant especially after the past elections and that must be done within the relevant framework. “The past elections have shown us that there is something wrong,” he said. Tebelelo Seretse also confirmed her intentions to contest for the party chairmanship.
“I have intentions to contest for the party chairmanship. I believe I have the energy for the position, the way it is at the moment we cannot afford the luxury to be divided. We need to work together, even if the members’ of the BDP decide to vote someone else I will give support to whoever they prefer. I love the BDP so much that I am always willing to carry out any duty that I am assigned by the party,” she said.
