My political survival doesn’t depend on BPF – Ookeditse

Almost two years ago, at the General Elections, Ookeditse made history by dethroning the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from the Nata-Gweta constituency, which has been its stronghold since a delimitation exercise in 2002. Addressing the media yesterday, following a court ruling on an interim interdict that sought to put an end to an opposing faction, Ookeditse brushed off claims that he is clinging to power. “Some say I should leave the party.

Well, we fought for this brand. Our friends died for this brand, and we will not allow a situation where someone just arrives today and ruins this brand, and that will be it,” Ookeditse said. In addition, Ookeditse said rumors are circulating that he is hanging on to the BPF presidency for the reason that, without the party, he will lose the elections.

“Amme ke tshaba gore gongwe nka jewa ke ditlhopo ga ke sena BPF, well, I am not going to lose elections in 2029. Loosely translated (Do I have fear that I will lose elections without BPF? No, I am not going to lose elections in 2029),” he said.

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,” Ookeditse boldly said. Doubling as a Member of Parliament (MP) and Assistant Minister of Health, Ookeditse said he vehemently believes that he will win the constituency under a political party ticket, even if he is not a member of BPF. “I am not going to lose elections in 2029, and it doesn’t matter that I will be running for the constituency in which party come 2029.

Even if you say to me I run under Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), UDC or Domkrag (BDP), I will win Nata-Gweta come 2029,” he said. He outlined that he has no ounce of fear of losing the constituency, as he knows what the people of Nata-Gweta want. “What gives me confidence is that I know how I work with those people and I know what the people wants so my political survival does not depend on BPF,” Ookeditse said.

However, Ookeditse said that as a way forward to try and bring peace and unity within the party he will work towards that through engagements with the opposing side and hopefully hold a congress in three months. He and others are set to meet in Serowe this weekend to start talks towards that, while another faction will be in Mahalapye. For too long, the state of many public schools has been a source of shame.

We have all seen the pictures and heard the stories of broken windows, unreliable water and electricity, topped by classrooms that are not fit for proper learning. The establishment of the Education Infrastructure and Management Company Ltd (EIMC) signals that authorities are finally ready to take this problem seriously. We must commend the government for this initiative….

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