Four-horse race expected in BDP Lobatse

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries in Lobatse have turned into a four-horse race, pitting friend against friend.Although there are over 10 candidates vying to represent the BDP at the parliamentary level, only four are really in the race. Of the four, three are former Cabinet Ministers.These are Advocate Sadique Kebonang, the incumbent Member of Parliament Dr. Thapelo Matsheka, Dr. Alfred Madigele and Marshlow Ketlogetswe.Interestingly Motlogelwa worked with Kebonang who was his boss at Public Enterprises Evaluation and Privatisation Agency (PEEPA) and Botswana Trade Commission, where he was Acting Chief Executive Officer.Motlogelwa is equally believed to be closer to Matsheka. Dr. Madigele not only grew up with Kebonang but attended the same schools with him.Those close to Kebonang say he wants a second bite at the cherry because he thinks Lobatse is lagging behind in developments and he has something to offer. He was a legislator for Lobatse from 2014 until 2019.They claim that many of the developments that have taken place in Lobatse were as a result of his direct lobbying of businesspeople to set up shop there. It is said for instance, Lobatse Junction Mall and Fours Store were opened as a result of his direct lobbying.Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) was established there as a result of his influence. Milk Afric was built and completed as a result of his intervention. The same goes for Pasdec which employs over 800 people.In a random sample survey of people on the streets, they confirmed remembering Kebonang for these developments. Only time will tell if these will be enough to tilt the scales in his favour.Many have expressed concern that the calendar of delivering on projects and services by the current MP has been hampered by the soiling of his name by government when he was arrested and hauled before the courts on allegations of having a hand in the death of a primary school pupil.Dr. Matsheka who has been pushing for the reopening of the Milk Afric and Lobatse Clay Works, has since slapped the state with a lawsuit for unlawful arrest and detention.Dr. Matsheka was said to have been a target following claims that he intends to challenge Vice President Slumber Tsogwane for the BDP Chairmanship during the party’s elective congress that was held in Tsabong.This is said to have stirred a narrative to de-campaign him and he would later drop out of the race when the smear campaign intensified against him. He has so far been one of the best performing MPs in the current Parliament sitting after he was dropped from cabinet.There are complaints that the BDP-dominated town council has failed the people of Lobatse. People are complaining about services not reaching the people.Lobatse, once a proud town, has become a ghost town after the collapse of many businesses among them Lobatse Clay Works, closure of Kgalagadi Breweries Limited and relocation of the High Court to Gaborone.Dr. Madigele is a former legislator for Mmathethe/Molapowabojang constituency between 2014 and 2019. He transferred his membership to Gaborone Bonngington South post 2019 general election before transferring to Lobatse this year.He is also seen as a strong contender having grown up in the town and connecting well with the constituents.In Gaborone Bonnington South, Dr. Madigele was said to have the blessings of some of the party structures and some of the Councillors. The BDP is expected to hold its primary elections towards the end of the year after the completion of the Delimitation process for wards.

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Four-horse race expected in BDP Lobatse