The 12th Parliament session will soon starts its work which will begin by the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Mokgweetsi Masisi on the 18th of this month.
It will be followed by responses by Members of Parliament thus giving the electorates the glimpse of what to expect in the next five years.
This publication looks at 10 MPs mostly backbenchers who are expected to lighten the parliament with their debates.
Dumelang Saleshando- LOO
he showed his mettle during the nomination and endorsement of the Specially Elected Members of Parliament (SEMP) when he wanted clarification on their background before they could endorse them. As that was not enough the Member of Parliament for Maun West, Saleshando declined to accompany the new SEMP saying he doesn’t know them.
He will be the first one to respond to SONA on his capacity as Leader of Opposition and as he performed during his time as legislature in the 10th parliament he is expected to come with political gun blazing.
Paulson Majaga –Nata/Gweta
Every time Paulson Majaga stand up to debate in parliament, there is always a tingle of anticipation, something shockingly out of the ordinary might happen as he presses the microphone on.
He is one of the few ruling party MPs who can freely speak their minds and since he has stopped harboring any ambitions of becoming a cabinet minister, ‘the Herbalist’ as he called is going to shoot from the hip.
Already he has stated that they are going to turbocharge the cabinet and if they don’t deliver he won’t hesitate to tell them.
Dithapelo Keorapetse –Selibe Phikwe West
He performed exceptionally well in his first term as an MP and was very focused and presented well researched motions and questions.
Having gained more experience, the Phikwe West MP nicknamed ‘mopalamente wa masole (MP for the army)’ he is expected to be a political thorn on the executive.
His combination with Saleshando will bring live in the parliamentary debate.
Wynter Mmolotsi –Francistown South
For the first time he is going to find himself in an unfamiliar position as a lone voice as he the only Alliance for Progressives in parliament. A fighter that he is, this is not going to deter him to take the government of the day head one.
Nicknamed ‘AK47’ the Francistown South MP is expected to team up with UDC MPs to make the government of the day accountable.
Kenny Kapinga- Okavango
He is making his maiden appearance in parliament and going by performance during the elections debate, the former Botswana Police boss is expected to add some value to the response to SONA.
Liakat Kably Letlhakeng/Lephephe
If there is one MP who is being underrated by those who see him outside parliament is the ever combative yet friendly Kably.
He is one of the few BDP who are not afraid to tell off a cabinet minister that he is not performing and should be fired.
The Letlhakeng/Lephephe MP is very passionate about his constituency and lack of developments in the area.
Ignatius Moswaane –Francistown West
This is the man who has put his constituency before the party and when the party tried to recall him just weeks before the national elections, the constituents dared the party to try that.
Moswaane is a trigger happy politician as ever and will continue to shoot salvos at failed BDP policies and this is not going to stop anytime soon.
The new cabinet ministers will be in trouble as he is not afraid to become personal in parliament and use unpalatable words.
Pono Moatlhodi –Tonota
The militant and outspoken MP for Tonota is one of the MPs that the nation will be looking up in terms of tackling issues of national interest.
Moatlhodi as the opposition whip is expected to guide the new UDC legislatures on the importance of always attending parliament business and contributing meaningfully.
Yandani Boko- Mahalapye East
He is the youngest MP and his contributions during the elections debate is anything to go by, he is going to be one of the MPs who will contribute meaningfully to parliamentary debates.
He has the debating traits of his uncle, UDC President Duma Boko and if he can harness them well he has a bright political future.
Carter Hikuama –Ngami
One of the new MPs from the opposition and looking at the issues in his constituency he is expected to be vocal in addressing them in parliament.
Goretetse Kekgonegile
A former labor movement leader, Kekgonegile is one of the vocal parliamentarians in the 12th parliament.
Though a new entrant, he is expected to take the executive head on addressing issues affecting the people of Ngamiland.
He is also very vocal on labor issues.
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