Vee accepts BDP vetting decision and wishes Healy well
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) announcement of parliamentary and council candidates who will contest the 2024 BDP primary elections has put to an end what has been seen as indirect dissing between popular musician Odirile Vee Sento and Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central Tumisang Healey.
Vee has been vetted out leaving the race for Gaborone Central between Healey and former BDP Youth Wing leader Bontsi Monare.
Over the past months, it has been a silent but noticeable battle for Gaborone Central with the Kwaito king, Vee, doing all he could to ensure he positions himself well for Healey’s job.
He was doing the most, hosting football tournaments, paying khombi and taxi fares for students and even buying the needy food. But because of party rules and regulations, the artist never openly discussed his political
interests until names of contesting candidates were released this week.
This publication was able to establish that the reason why Vee targeted Gaborone Central was to garner support from the University of Botswana students. He firmly believed that his fan base was with the youth and if he won them over, he had a chance of walking through parliament doors as the youth make up a significant number in the community.
Realising that his job was under threat, Healey made sure, in a clever manner, for all to know that he was closely monitoring developments. Early last year, he made remarks in parliament that suggested that artists should stay in their lane and do what they know best.
"O seka wa utlwa kamoso modiragatsi mongwe hela gongwe a eletsa go nna mokhanselara kana mopalamente e le gore o feeler gore ke bone batho ba ba botlhokwa ere a tsena ha go bo go sena sepe se a se buang e le bone bo yoooooh!”
When making this remark in parliament, Healey never said he was referring to Vee but the statement was interpreted as taking a swipe at the musician given that a number of songs by Vee, among them Taku Taku, carry the 'yoooh' roar signature.
On Monday, Vee admitted that he was vetted out and chose to respect the decision taken by party leadership. He wished both Monare and Healey well on their campaigns.