- In an effort to reclaim Serowe West Constituency
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is determined to regain control of the Serowe West constituency, which slipped from their grasp after former legislator Tshekedi Khama defected to the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).
In pursuit of this goal, they have selected Foster Seretse, a prominent member of the Bangwato Royalty and a first cousin to the former president and now patron of BPF Lt. Gen Ian Khama, as their candidate for the October general election. Currently, the seat is occupied by yet another former BDP member and Councillor, Onalepelo Kedikilwe who had the support of the opposition UDC and took over last year July. The vacancy and subsequent by-election followed the absence of Tshekedi from the required minimum of two consecutive meetings of the same parliament session.
Tshekedi left the country together with his family and joined his brother Ian in exile in South Africa. Since its formation by the founding President, Sir Seretse Khama, Serowe has always been a BDP stronghold until after members of the Khama family formed, and or associated themselves with the BPF.
In Seretse, the BDP believes they have found not just a royal member, but a fresh mind who commands support from people of all ages. Seretse was two weeks ago given a free ticket to contest the general election after the Central Committee vetted out his two competitors, Keletso Rakhudu and Moemedi Dijeng from contesting the Bulela Ditswe primary elections.
Both Rakhudu and Dijeng gave a good fight but still failed to convince the Serowe West constituents. Having lost the 2019 Bulela Ditswe, Rakhudu worked closely with Dijeng. Tshekedi retained the constituency with 4 394, while Dijeng had 2 405. This was believed to be a great effort as Dijeng was roped in at the last minute after Tshekedi’s resignation from the ruling party.
Rakhudu was asked not to contest, but instead to be Dijeng’s campaign manager. Dijeng was facing Kedikilwe, who was contesting under the UDC ticket. Kedikilwe got 2 933 votes against Dijeng's 1 267 votes.
Forster Seretse is the fifth and last born of Lenyeletse and Naledi Seretse. Naledi is the younger and only sister to Sir Seretse Khama and an aunt (Rakgadi) to Ian Khama. As it is tradition, Naledi was married to her uncle (Rangwane). They were all descendants of Kgosi Sekgoma, who is said to have fathered Kgama, Kgamane and Seretse and Kebainele – then came others of different wives but were rightfully recognised as siblings among them Boora Seeletso, Molwa, Badirwang and Mphoeng.
The question is besides being a royal member what is Seretse offering in political circles? Armed with a Diploma in marketing, he is self-employed under his company Taskman (Pty) Ltd and also a seasoned cattle farmer.
He joined BDP in his childhood because of his father, who was the country’s second Vice President, Lenyeletse Seretse. Besides this, Seretse has held many portfolios such as, former Councillor for Gaborone City Council, Chairman Education Committee, member Comms of central committee, Vice Chairman of the Central region, Vice Chairman of Serowe South Branch.
He grew up in a political home and was used to seeing people’s life's being improved. According to Forster, his father Lenyeletse was very close to Sir Seretse Khama. When Seretse moved to Gaborone to take over as President, he asked Lenyeletse to remain behind in Serowe taking care of the land board and council. It took Seretse until 1974 to call him (Lenyeletse) to Gaborone where he offered him a cabinet post as Assistant Minister of Lands. By then, Lenyeletse was a Member of Parliament for the then Boteti constituency.
Seretse‘s favourite politician locally is former President Sir Ketumile Masire and his father Lenyeletse, while internationally, it is Barrack Obama.
He joins politics purely to improve the lives of ordinary Batswana and empower his fellow citizens. His dream is to help many who go to sleep on empty stomachs yet they have the energy to do something for themselves and families. Seretse says there were moments when he wanted to quit politics, but gave it a second chance after he convinced himself that a good politician is one who works tirelessly to improve the lives of others than himself.
Asked what he wishes to see in Botswana, Seretse says he would like to see President Mokgweetsi Masisi's vision of a better Botswana, coming to pass.
In pursuit of this goal, they have selected Foster Seretse, a prominent member of the Bangwato Royalty and a first cousin to the former president and now patron of BPF Lt. Gen Ian Khama, as their candidate for the October general election. Currently, the seat is occupied by yet another former BDP member and Councillor, Onalepelo Kedikilwe who had the support of the opposition UDC and took over last year July. The vacancy and subsequent by-election followed the absence of Tshekedi from the required minimum of two consecutive meetings of the same parliament session.
Tshekedi left the country together with his family and joined his brother Ian in exile in South Africa. Since its formation by the founding President, Sir Seretse Khama, Serowe has always been a BDP stronghold until after members of the Khama family formed, and or associated themselves with the BPF.
In Seretse, the BDP believes they have found not just a royal member, but a fresh mind who commands support from people of all ages. Seretse was two weeks ago given a free ticket to contest the general election after the Central Committee vetted out his two competitors, Keletso Rakhudu and Moemedi Dijeng from contesting the Bulela Ditswe primary elections.
Both Rakhudu and Dijeng gave a good fight but still failed to convince the Serowe West constituents. Having lost the 2019 Bulela Ditswe, Rakhudu worked closely with Dijeng. Tshekedi retained the constituency with 4 394, while Dijeng had 2 405. This was believed to be a great effort as Dijeng was roped in at the last minute after Tshekedi’s resignation from the ruling party.
Rakhudu was asked not to contest, but instead to be Dijeng’s campaign manager. Dijeng was facing Kedikilwe, who was contesting under the UDC ticket. Kedikilwe got 2 933 votes against Dijeng's 1 267 votes.
Forster Seretse is the fifth and last born of Lenyeletse and Naledi Seretse. Naledi is the younger and only sister to Sir Seretse Khama and an aunt (Rakgadi) to Ian Khama. As it is tradition, Naledi was married to her uncle (Rangwane). They were all descendants of Kgosi Sekgoma, who is said to have fathered Kgama, Kgamane and Seretse and Kebainele – then came others of different wives but were rightfully recognised as siblings among them Boora Seeletso, Molwa, Badirwang and Mphoeng.
The question is besides being a royal member what is Seretse offering in political circles? Armed with a Diploma in marketing, he is self-employed under his company Taskman (Pty) Ltd and also a seasoned cattle farmer.
He joined BDP in his childhood because of his father, who was the country’s second Vice President, Lenyeletse Seretse. Besides this, Seretse has held many portfolios such as, former Councillor for Gaborone City Council, Chairman Education Committee, member Comms of central committee, Vice Chairman of the Central region, Vice Chairman of Serowe South Branch.
He grew up in a political home and was used to seeing people’s life's being improved. According to Forster, his father Lenyeletse was very close to Sir Seretse Khama. When Seretse moved to Gaborone to take over as President, he asked Lenyeletse to remain behind in Serowe taking care of the land board and council. It took Seretse until 1974 to call him (Lenyeletse) to Gaborone where he offered him a cabinet post as Assistant Minister of Lands. By then, Lenyeletse was a Member of Parliament for the then Boteti constituency.
Seretse‘s favourite politician locally is former President Sir Ketumile Masire and his father Lenyeletse, while internationally, it is Barrack Obama.
He joins politics purely to improve the lives of ordinary Batswana and empower his fellow citizens. His dream is to help many who go to sleep on empty stomachs yet they have the energy to do something for themselves and families. Seretse says there were moments when he wanted to quit politics, but gave it a second chance after he convinced himself that a good politician is one who works tirelessly to improve the lives of others than himself.
Asked what he wishes to see in Botswana, Seretse says he would like to see President Mokgweetsi Masisi's vision of a better Botswana, coming to pass.
