Tsogwane unbothered by loss of vice presidency
Vice President and Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Slumber Tsogwane is not concerned about the possibility of losing his position as Vice President should the BDP obtain a majority in the general elections.
Speaking during the launch of BDP parliamentary candidate Palelo Motaosane for Thamang-Kumakwane this past weekend in Thamaga, Tsogwane told party members that even if President Mokgweetsi Masisi chooses someone else as his deputy, he will remain content with his role as party chairman.
“Dikgang ne di buega tsa gore Tautona o batla mme mma Serame e nne Mothusa Tautona. Nna ga kena bothata, leha Tautona a ka tlhopha Mothusa Tautona yo mongwe, ka gore ona le dithata tsa go dira jalo ka nako efe kapa efe. Nna ke tla sala ka bo Chairman ba party go fitlha nako ya me e wela,” Tsogwane said.
This translates to, "There have been reports that the president wants to appoint Ms. Serame as his deputy. I don’t have a problem with that because the president has the power to do so at any time. I will continue to serve as chairman of the party until my term ends."
He emphasised that the decision is fully within the president’s discretion and that his chairmanship of the BDP is enough for him.
Tsogwane also used the occasion to urge BDP members not to vote for the opposition, specifically targeting Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader, Dumelang Saleshando.
He claimed that Saleshando had a history of not completing his terms in leadership positions, citing his stint as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament as an example.
“Dumelang Saleshando ga a ise a fetse nako ya gagwe e le moeteledipele, le gone mo komiting ya Ipelegeng, o raya gore otla kgona go laola badiri ba Ipelegeng, o ka seka wa kgona,” Tsogwane remarked.
This translates to, "Dumelang Saleshando never completed his term as Leader of the Opposition, and he could not even manage the Ipelegeng Committee. How can you expect him to supervise Ipelegeng workers?"
Tsogwane went on to praise Gaborone voters, thanking them for their wisdom in past elections. He said Saleshando had failed to win their support in 2014, which led him to contest in Maun in 2019.
Tsogwane noted that Ndaba Gaolathe, another opposition leader, had left the country to seek employment in South Africa after his defeat.
He also took a jab at Duma Boko, leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), stating that Boko had chosen not to contest any constituency after losing to Anna Mokgethi in the Gaborone
Bonnington North Constituency during the 2019 elections.
“Boko ene a baka a kgwa a thelela gore ga akake a tlhola a emela bopalamente,” Tsogwane added, which translates to, "Boko gave up and said he would no longer stand for parliamentary elections."