06 Nov 2024

President Duma Boko has explained his nomination of the six Specially Elected Members of Parliament, who were ultimately voted in by Parliament yesterday.

The SEMPs nominees for the for the 13^th Parliament were Messrs Moeti Mohwasa, Pius Mokgware, Dr Steven Modise as well as Ms Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, Ms Lesego Chombo and Ms Bogolo Kenewendo.

Speaking in an interview following the nomination and election process, President Boko emphasised the importance of bringing in ‘people of great calibre’ who possessed special attributes.

He said an in-depth consultation was carried out with all members of the Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition.

“We consulted. In the phase we are, people are happy and jolly. So we tend to get a consensus very quickly and I hope it stays that way until the end,” he said.

President Boko noted that the ruling party wanted to be as broad as possible and bring in young women in particular with skills and visibility in society.

“ We reckon such young women do not come any better than Mme Kenewendo,” President Boko said in explaining Ms Kenewendo’s nomination.

About Miss World Africa Lesego Chombo, President Boko said he had to consider the youth, thus he requested for a voice that would represent the interests of young people.

“I asked the team to give me any young person between 20 and 23. We ultimately settled for Lesego Chombo.

She is young and visible in society.

It was a very good appointment and well received, and I hope the country will be happy to have her,” President Boko said.

He also stressed the importance of increasing the number of women in Parliament, hence the nomination of Ms Kgafela-Mokoka.

“We also wanted to increase the number of women. We brought in Mma Kgafela-Mokoka, who did well in her constituency. We also brought in a young medical doctor since I and [the Vice President] Mr Ndaba Gaolathe agreed that we needed a medical doctor in Parliament, and we settled for a young dynamic professional in Dr Steven Modise, who is also medical doctor and a lecturer of medicine in the Caribbean,” President Boko said.

Commenting on Mr Mohwasa’s nomination, President Boko highlighted the importance of bringing a calming influence, adding that it was equally important to bring Major General Mokgware.

He described the duo as veterans in politics.

“We only had six positions and we did the best we could. We will be nominating the Speaker today. Expect a young vibrant fiery and razor-sharp person,” President Boko said. ENDS