BDP's Rammidi gracefully loses in the race for Kanye East
Former cabinet minister, also former Secretary General of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Kentse Rammidi bowed out with grace and a smile on his face as he lost the Kanye East Bulela Ditswe contest to incumbent MP Thapelo Letsholo. The former Kanye North MP received a sizeable number of votes, garnering 2 073 against 2 453 votes of the winner Letsholo. He accepted defeat despite the close call.
All he could do, in jest, when asked to talk about the elections was to ask to be helped with Chema Chema forms, saying he realises he wasted precious time chasing votes to become an MP when he could perhaps be pushing life with the government small business scheme that has seen several people offered loans to start businesses. Also contesting was Thamiso Chabalala, who finished a distant third with 794 votes.
The Midweek Sun covered elections in both Kanye village constituencies. In Kanye West, only council ward primaries were held as the area MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape, is standing unopposed. He will be contesting against the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) candidate, Victor Phologolo in the general elections, which are expected to be held in October.
On the other hand, Letsholo will contest against UDC candidate Prince Mosanana for the Kanye East constituency. Letsholo believes that Kanye East constituency now has a candidate who offers significant uniqueness, far beyond the usual political rhetoric. He describes himself as a dedicated individual with youthful zeal, diligence, and sheer competence.
He previously told The Midweek Sun that Kanye East needs modern representation that aligns with the needs and aspirations of both current and future voters. All the Kanye East candidates accepted the results, but some voters expressed disappointment in President Mokgweetsi Masisi not appointing Letsholo a minister. Kgosikgolo Emmastos stated, "I do not know what he has done to our president.
This guy deserves to be a Minister of Youth or Tourism—very intelligent." Goitseone Phiri suggested that Letsholo even qualifies to serve in the Office of the President.
However, Bibo Gaothusi, a critic of Letsholo, called him 'the most overrated Member of Parliament in the history of this country.
"Let the opposition table a motion today for people to get a salary increase and see if he will vote with them. He says things and does the opposite, there is nothing special about this guy!" he said.