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Botswana: The Focus Shifts to Opposition in Gaborone
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
9 October 2007
Posted to the web 9 October 2007
Ryder Gabathuse
Francistown
After the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chose its parliamentary candidates in Gaborone through consensus last week attention now shifts to the opposition primaries. Going by history, the party to beat in the five Gaborone constituencies is the main opposition, the Botswana National Front (BNF).
Hence the BNF primaries to be held between October 22 and November 23 are likely to be a closely contested affair. Behind the scenes, campaigns for the party tickets in Gaborone have been going on for sometime. In Gaborone North, private attorney and former BNF youth leader, Gabriel Kanjabanga is said to be keen to oust the BDP's Keletso Rakhudu. Another BNF man reported to be interested in the ruling party's only parliamentary seat in Gaborone is Maemo Bantsi. BNF leader Otsweletse Moupo is set to defend his Gaborone-West North seat and so is Robert Molefhabangwe in Gaborone West South. After successfully fending off a challenge from the Gaborone mayor Harry Mothei in the BNF primaries in 2004, Molefhabangwe is likely to be unopposed this time.
In the Gaborone South, chances are high that Akanyang Magama will face-off with attorney Tebogo Sebego. Yesterday, the attorney told Mmegi that he would only express his interest to the party when the time is ripe. "While there are some people who wish that I stand, I can only wait until the party has opened the doors for applications on October 22 when I will be able to fully decide whether I duly express my interest or not," declared Sebego.
At the BCP, its sole MP Dumelang Saleshando will not be challenged for the party ticket while Motsei Madisa-Rapelana is vying in Gaborone North. These two seats fall within the 14 constituencies listed as category one by the BCP because of their importance to the party. Other category one seats are Okavango, Chobe, Nkange, Francistown South, Selebi-Phikwe East and West, Bobirwa, Palapye, Kgatleng East and West, South East South and Mogoditshane.
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Meanwhile, Annah Motlhagodi is one of the people interested in the BCP ticket in Gaborone West North while Dick Bayford wants to contest in Gaborone South. In Gaborone West South Abby Chengeta is likely to carry the BCP banner.
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