Vice President Slumber Tsogwane’s decision to endorse former assistant minister Kavis Kario as his preferred candidate for the position of secretary general of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) over the current deputy secretary General Shaw Kgathi has raised eyebrows.
This publication can reveal that Kario who is the former Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West has resurfaced and will be contesting for the hotly contested position of BDP secretary general against Shaw Kgathi.
It is understood that the former assistant Minister of Education’s decision to join the race for the BDP secretary general has not gone down well with Kgathi. This also means that Kgathi would be contesting against his former Regional Chairperson from Bobonong, Mmadinare and Selebi Phikwe region commonly known as BOMAS.
An insider has revealed that Kgathi is not a preferred candidate because after losing election in 2019 together with nine councilors, they allegedly de-campaigned BDP in favour of opposition. The source revealed that Kgathi is seen as Khama’s trusted loyalist and that’s why Tsogwane prefers Kario over him.
When contacted for comment, BDP Chairman of Communications and International Sub Committee Kagelelo Kentse said the party process does not require those who have shown interest to stand for party positions to officially submit their names or express their interest.
“What I can reveal to democrats is that BDP has its own voting process and the only time we will know who is contesting is at the congress, when nominations happen. Yes, individuals have started campaigning but I cannot disclose their names,” said Kentse.
The BDP mouthpiece revealed that at the just ended National Congress, Tsogwane announced a list of his preferred candidates and it was upon other candidates to disclose their candidates.
“What I can further tell members of the BDP and the nation at large is that at the National Council, the Chairman of the party Slumber Tsogwane did inform council of his intention and interest to defend his position and has agreed to work along with Kavis Kario as party Secretary General and Kwape as Deputy secretary general,” he said.
This political development came after some BDP heavy weights among them Lesang Magang, former cabinet minister Alfred Madigela and Mpho Balopi withdrew from the race.
In a letter dated 15 July 2022, BDP Chairman of Electoral Board Peter Siele reminded BDP members of the upcoming elective National Congress-Campaigns.
“Reference is made to the letter dated 08th July 2022 from Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC) secretary on the upcoming Elective National Congress Preparations of which he was reminding you of the upcoming National Congress slated from the 26th -28th August in Tsabong,” said Siele.
The Telegraph has observed that the sudden appearance of Kario on the list of those with Vice President Tsogwane might work in his favour.
This also came to light following BDP secretary general Mpho Balopi’s decision not to contest for the BDP secretary position.
Balopi told this publication that he is the third longest serving Secretary General after Daniel Kwelagobe who served for 27 years and the late Sir Ketumile who served as BDP Secretary General for 18 years.
The Telegraph has also established that Nonofo Molefhi and his team will be contesting for the BDP chairman against Slumber Tsogwane.
When contacted for comment, both Kario and Kgathi confirmed that they have shown interest in the Secretary General position.
