Mzwinila’s Mmadinare return bid
Former Mmadinare Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Kefentse Mzwinila is reportedly on the comeback trail, as he has launched a spirited campaign to unseat incumbent MP Molebatsi Molebatsi.
In what is believed to be a clandestine launch of his challenge, Dr Mzwinila recently sponsored the construction of Leobo at the Mmadinare main kgotla, complete with 1 000 chairs and funded festivities of the day.
The festivities, which were attended by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, reportedly endeared Dr. Mzwinila to Dikgosi and Mmadinare elders; giving him a strong shot in the arm as he guns for the Mmadinare parliamentary seat. The BDP is expected to conduct its primary elections towards the end of this year.
Masisi’s attendance to officiate at the event which was spearheaded by Dr. Mzwinila has been seen by some within the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) as clear endorsement for his candidacy by the president. Though he refused to be drawn to comment on these development, Dr. Mzwinila has also reportedly sponsored the reconstruction of all the smaller wards in the village, together with a donation of 500 chairs each.
Reports indicate that the Minister of Lands and Water Affairs will continue with his sustained campaign as he launches maobo in the smaller wards of Matabi, Kelele, Manga, Mosokolo, Seboo and Lehongwane. According to BDP insiders in the constituency, this is to further endear himself to dikgosi and by extension the voters.
After losing the BDP primary elections to Molebatsi in 2018, Dr. Mzwinila was nominated to parliament by President Masisi and appointed to the key Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs.
Apart from the multi-billion Pula water projects that are being implemented throughout the country, Dr Mzwinila is said to have also well positioned himself within the president’s favourites and is classified as hard working when his ministry allocated over 52 000 plots to Batswana in a space of 12 months.
The feat, which was hailed as a pure mark of excellence, accounts for six times more than the number of plots allocated in the past two decades. Botswana has traditionally averaged 8, 630 plots allocated annually. An additional 60, 000 plots are currently being surveyed and will be allocated before the end of year.
A heated political contest is brewing in Mmadinare, as political heavyweights from the opposition are also positioning themselves for a showdown with either Mzwinila or Molebatsi.
The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has reportedly thrown their weight behind economist Sennye Obuseng. With the rift between the BCP and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) widening every day, former Gaborone Bonnington South candidate Ketlhafefile Motshegwa is reportedly contemplating relocating to his home village of Mmadinare.
Motshegwa, who is also a trade union stalwart and Secretary General of the Botswana National Front (BNF) fancies his chances in Mmadinare, where he will rely on his well-respected family ties and proximity to royalty.
Since its inception the Mmadinare constituency has always been a BDP stronghold. This is a Constituency that had BDP heavyweight and former Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe as area member of Parliament for the longest period.
The 2018 BDP Bulela Ditswe defeat of Kefentse Mzwinila by Molebatsi Molebatsi, is a regret many live to correct. They indicate that the incumbent has literally neglected the constituency which has allowed them to re-introspect the direction in which they wish to take their constituency.
The return of Dr. Mzwinila to the constituency is said to be the only alternative.