DOWN BUT NOT OUT: They used the gender card to defeat me
Oaitse Chandapiwa Phikane (35) of Kang village in the Kgalagadi North Constituency was among the few women candidates who threw their names in the hat for Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) primary elections.
She defines herself as founder of My Sister's Keeper, a counsellor and Youth and Women Activist among the many hats she wears.
During the elections held in different locations throughout the country this past weekend, Phikane was the only female council candidate for Kang South ward, up against two men, Morgan Mogomotsi and Oarabile Temetu. Phikane garnered the least number of 89 votes with Mogomotsi winning the title of BDP council representative for the national elections slated for October this year with 179 votes. Temetu got 113 votes.
The Kang native says she lost but is not out. It was the first time she entered the political fray and according to her, she did not burn but emerged with minor scratches that will heal with time. When she informed her family about her intentions to contest for elections, they were shocked, they knew her to be a youth leader but never thought she would take it to the extreme of stepping into the political boxing ring.
She comes out with no regrets but like a wounded buffalo, she intends to return to the battlefield, this time, she will be more vicious than ever. "I have always loved politics or rather, I have always loved leadership, I love speaking to people and coming into the 2024 elections, my mentor, also a BDP diehard Goga Albertus Moabe, pushed me to submit my name.
“We began preparations early this year and when BDP announced a call for expression of interest, he assisted me with all paperwork and always reminded me of deadlines," Phikane said.
Another reason that made her chase power was to get an opportunity to speak boldly about education issues in her region.
As a tutor in Kgalagadi North, she has identified gaps in the education sector in her community and she wants to voice them out with an authoritative voice.
She also wanted to be the first Kang South female councillor and inspire the youth and other women to join politics, by making their voices audible in politics.
Phikane said that the gender card was used a lot on her during the campaign period, it was war from day one.
Those who did not support her tried to intimidate her and make her lose focus but she ignored all detractors, and even though she lost, she promises to go out and support those who won.
"My time will come but as for now, I will be rallying behind those who won, especially BDP Member of Parliament (MP) candidate Moatlhodi Mahupu who defeated incumbent area MP, also assistant minister of Local Government and Rural Development Talita Monnakgotla.
"We need people of his calibre who will represent our interest in Parliament," she said.