09 Jul 2017

Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has retained the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairmanship.

Mr Masisi garned 769 votes against Mr Nonofo Molefhi’s 261 votes. A total of 1 031 votes were cast for the chairmanship position and only one vote was spoilt.

The position of secretary general was won by Mr Mpho Balopi with 662 votes while Messrs Botsalo Ntuane and Jacob Nkate each garnered 234 and 118 votes respectively.

For the position of secretary general, 1 014 voted were cast and 1 013 were valid. Mr Satar Dada was elected the party’s treasurer with 729 votes against Ms Tebelelo Seretse’s 219 votes. In this position 954 votes were cast and six were spoilt.

Mr Shaw Kgathi won the position of deputy secretary general with 644 votes while Messrs Andy Boatile and Biggie Butale each got 142 and 141 votes respectively. A total of 931 votes were cast for the position of secretary general and four were spoilt.

Mr Jagdish Shah retained the position of deputy treasurer after garnering 630 votes against Mr Albert Mbai’s 222. Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi did not accept nomination for the position.

In an interview, Mr Molebatsi said he realised that his team was disgruntled and as a result not voting.

Messrs Moyo Guma, Slumber Tsogwane, Ngaka Ngaka, Machana Shamukuni and Ms Ponatshego Tshiping were voted additional members of the central committee.

Mr Guma garnered 668 votes followed by Mr Tsogwane with 663 votes and Mr Ngaka with 662 while Ms Tshiping amassed 641 votes.

Messrs Dikgang Makgalemele, Ignatius Moswaane and Kaisara Nfila did not make it into the additional members list after each garnered 132 votes, 129 and 95 votes respectively.

Messrs Fidelis Molao and Moemedi Dijeng’s nominations were not accepted as they were not in attendance while Ms Tshenolo Leshoma declined nomination.

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama nominated Messrs Botsalo Ntuane, Tebogo Masire, Tshekedi Khama, Ms Velamina Brooks and Ms Goitse Phori into the central committee.

In an interview, Mr Masisi thanked democrats for having confidence in him, adding that he was delighted to retain the position.

Mr Masisi thanked Mr Molefhi and said the elections had shown that the party was united as campaigns for both of them were peaceful.

He promised to work with all democrats and even those who supported Mr Molefhi to ensure that the party wins the 2019 general elections.

For his part, Mr Molefhi said the elections were not about candidates as individuals, but about the party. He said the BDP was an institution that nurtured respect and called on democrats to ensure that the tradition of the party showed even as it prepared for the general elections.

He said democrats should go beyond individualism and continue to respect party processes. He further promised that he would carry out any role that the party assigned him. ENDS