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Botswana: Phikwe Leaders React to Molefhi's Appointment
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
7 April 2008
Posted to the web 7 April 2008
Onalenna Modikwa
Selebi-Phikwe
The appointment of Nonofho Molefhi as the second cabinet minister from Selebi-Phikwe after Lebatlamang Morake has been received with mixed feelings in the copper-nickel mining town.
The Selebi-Phikwe East MP is the Minister of Lands and Housing. Selebi-Phikwe businessman and member of the opposition Botswana National Front (BNF) Galefole Mokabiri congratulated Molefhi and said his appointment is a welcome development in the mining town. He said it is good to have another cabinet minister after a long time.
He feels that the cabinet is a platform for Molefhi to articulate Selebi-Phikwe issues better. "We hope Molefhi will take the town to greater heights in terms of developments. He will even increase the tempo of politics in Selebi-Phikwe as many aspiring and deserving residents will come forth to challenge him and this will be to the benefit of the town."
Mokabiri hopes that Molefhi will not just bask in the glory of his new position and fail his constituents and the ministry.
Ruling party councillor, Michael Tidimane believes that the appointment of Molefhi is a great achievement for Selebi-Phikwe. He cautioned that developments cannot come to the town just because the minister comes from there.
Tidimane however said the town is bound to benefit because Molefhi is now in a better position to present its issues better as he will be able to consult with other ministers and have his voice heard. "He really made our town so proud. I know him as a man who never fails and understands administration of government."
BNF publicity secretary Moeti Mohwasa congratulated Molefhi and said he believes he will represent the people's interest well. "His voice will help our town but we should not expect that he will divert all the developments to Selebi-Phikwe; that will be wrong."
Mohwasa said the town should not be so overly excited because Molefhi as an individual cannot change the ruling party. He said the government has abandoned Selebi-Phikwe and the town has long been denied developments it deserved, hence he does not expect much to change. "We also hope that he does not neglect his constituency and fall in the trap of his predecessor Morake. We hope that he will sensitise his colleagues to consider the town's textile industry. The industry was ill-conceived and the people lack purchasing power."
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Selebi-Phikwe East parliamentary candidate Nzwaligwa Nzwaligwa said that obviously, the ruling party members are very excited because Molefhi has certain qualities to be minister.
But he said the town should not expect much because it is the same ruling party with its development plans and policies. "Generally we know that the minister has certain executive powers that accords him the opportunity to consult with colleagues and make certain demands that do not need alteration of policies and he can be heard better than an ordinary MP and that will be a benefit to our town."
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Nzwaligwa said the town's needs will possibly be handled better because the government may not want to embarrass a person in Molefhi's position. "Response to the shrinkage of the town's economy would possibly turn around because of Molefhi's superior voice," he said.
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