Kgalagadi South battlelines drawn
With the Kgalagadi South Constituency by-election set to happen in two weeks’ time, political parties have moved in to shake the ground with one aim of winning the constituency.
Campaigns which have been on low key have now intensified following the conclusion of nomination process conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
On the ballot will be constituency defender, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) represented by Joseph Modise, Botswana Congress Party's (BCP) Tshepang Brooks, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) represented by Diana Kaartze, while the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) has fielded Phenyo Sedimonyane. Kealeboga Kapeko is throwing the cat among the pigeons by contesting as an Independent Candidate.
In both Kgalagadi South and North there has been an interesting pattern of voting in the recent past electoral cycle. In both constituencies it is rare for a political party to serve two-terms.
Observers have however argued that the UDC might win a sympathy vote on grounds that it did not serve its full term due to the passing of the area MP Dr Micus Chimbombi (MHSRIP).
The UDC however gets into the by-election with a lot of explaining and convincing needed to the electorates. This is because the party which assumed power in November last year has struggled to fulfil its electoral promises which could also be weaponised by their opponents in an effort to sway votes.
The Botswana National Front (BNF) which is managing the constituency for the UDC will have to prove itself, especially the newly elected Central Committee. The by-election comes at a time when there has not been total healing from the lobby that lost the party elective congress elections. The UDC can however use its current status of being in power and pull all avail resources even state
resources to ensure it retains the constituency.
The BCP which will be the first to launch its candidate this Saturday will have a lot of ground work to do since it will be contesting for the first time. The party has since taken a step to robustly make its presence felt in the Southern part of the country.
Its President, Dumelang Saleshando stated that the by-election has come at an opportune time when the party wanted to grow its base in the south. While the BCP has been commended for being one of the most organised political parties in the country, they face a mammoth task against the UDC and the BDP. The BCP information and Publicity Secretary Prof Mpho Pheko has been declared the campaign manager for the by-election.
The devastated BDP on the other hand could also push and show its rebirth following their embarrassing performance during the 2024 general election. After the 2024 defeat, many democrats also seemed defeated and lost interest with some dumping the party.
The party's hope has now been restored following a leadership change in Maun where former Minister and MP Mho Balopi was elected the president. Balopi who has frequented the constituency than any other party leader, has expressed his determination to prove that the BDP is alive and strong by winning the by-election.
Observers have ruled the BDP as a strong contender given its current leadership. The combination of the party president, the chairman Karabo Gare and the Secretary General Kentse Rammidi could produce a surprise outcome in the polls.
The BPF which was the last to confirm that it will contest the upcoming Kgalagadi South parliamentary by-election, scheduled for 15 November 2025 will also have a test for their energy and unity. The BPF came third in the October 2024 general election. Despite its previous performance, the BPF leadership remains optimistic about improving its showing in the upcoming poll.
The party has held extensive internal consultations on whether the BPF should field its own candidate or support the UDC. According to the party, contesting the by-election reflects its commitment to strengthening grassroots structures and providing voters with an alternative voice in Kgalagadi South.
The BPF ahead of choosing a candidate has had internal difference on whether to support the UDC or not a situation that could harm its performance. The party will also go to the battle field after freshly emerging from an elective congress billed for Serowe this weekend.
The outcome of their congress might determine their unity and performance in the by- election. The BPF, a former member of the UDC, has a working relationship with the coalition and some of its MPs serve in the UDC cabinet.
With all these scenarios only Kgalagadi South electorates will have a final say on the 15th of November 2025. In the 2024 general elections, the UDC won the Kgalagadi South constituency with 8,700 votes, followed by the BDP with 6,070 votes, while the BPF finished third with just over 1,074 votes