• Where are the ladies?October 7, 2025
    Botswana enjoys athletics success but… NANCY RAMOKHUA RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults editors@thepatriot.co.bw   Questionably for several years now, ladies in athletics have their representation visibly missing at international… Read more: Where are the ladies?
  • FMD surges in SAOctober 6, 2025
    Border villages,Tlokweng on high alert Cattle crossing into SA to be slaughtered Farmers to conduct FMD routine checks   BAKANG TIRO RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults editors@thepatriot.co.bw   Government… Read more: FMD surges in SA
  • Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaultsOctober 6, 2025
    Government’s growing fiscal pressures escalate risks of default in household and business loan repayments   RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults STAFF WRITER editors@thepatriot.co.bw Arrears on loans to the household… Read more: Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults
  • Botswana Council of Churches calls for peaceOctober 6, 2025
    GORATAONE KGOSIMORE editors@thepatriot.co.bw RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults   Rev. Mmachakga Moruakgomo, representing the Botswana Council of Churches, on August 2025 undertook a diplomatic visit to Ukraine aimed at… Read more: Botswana Council of Churches calls for peace
  • Botswana defends slaughtering elephantsOctober 6, 2025
    Global uproar over killing 21 elephants for Independence festivities KITSO RAMONO editors@patriot.co.bw RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults   The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has confirmed authorising the killing… Read more: Botswana defends slaughtering elephants
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
  • Login
  • Register
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The Patriot On Sunday
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
Cart / $0.00

No products in the cart.

  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
The Patriot On Sunday
No Result
View All Result

How Moitoi was AMBUSHED

patriot by patriot
December 31, 2020
in News
0

President Mokgweetsi Masisi outsmarted Pelonomi Venson Moitoi to come through the centre and seize the nomination of the Central Region — an endorsement that to most was sure bet for Venson-Moitoi to get. 

A Central region endorsement was expected to inspire Venson-Moitoi’s campaign for leadership of the party and country – moreso that she enjoys the support of former President Ian Khama – the paramount chief of Bangwato whose power and influence is predominant throughout the central district.

RelatedPosts

FMD surges in SA

Botswana Council of Churches calls for peace

Botswana defends slaughtering elephants

Khama triggered this revolt but lost control of it in a tragicomic farce in his own backyard when Venson-Moitoi lost by 49 votes to 86. Now the whole region and close political observers across the country have been thrown into a soul searching feat to determine what could have gone so terribly wrong with her campaign. A meeting – called by elders in the region; a structure that does not exist in the party – is set for today (Sunday) at Lady Khama Centre to deal with get to the bottom of this debacle.

Will Khama attend?

Former President Ian Khama, who was not present at last weekend regional congress, is expected to attend the Sunday event and address members of the party.

One of the organisers of the meeting councilor Thabala/Moiyabana councilor Kadimo Oremeng said he could not confirm whether Khama will attend.

“Yes, he has been invited but am not sure if he will attend,” he said.

Oremeng said when they were invited for the regional congress last week, nothing was mentioned about holding elections; hence the elders have summoned them.

“Someone stood from the floor and nominated the name of President Masisi as presidential candidate and I also nominated Moitoi. We were shocked when they called for elections,” said Oremeng.

Who are the elders?

He said after the congress party elders called them and wanted to know why they didn’t tell them that they will be elections.

Asked who the party elders are, Oremeng was cagey with information choosing to say “from all the constituencies making the region.”  He said though they accepted the results on Saturday party elders in the constituency have summoned them to a meeting on Sunday to know what transpired.

Though the meeting will be for BDP members, Oremeng said it will be outside the structures as it was not sanctioned by the party.

It has emerged that the meeting will not only be for Central region members but other members of the Moitoi camp will attend.

The ambush – happened at Palapye  

On Friday when delegates from the central region, which comprises the three Serowe constituencies, Nata/Gweta and Nkange constituencies, met in Serowe for their congress, it was clear Moitoi will get the nod.

The real political game was said to be playing itself out in Palapye where some delegates were lodging and Masisi camp capitalised on that.

Among the delegates was the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, who is also Member of Parliament for Boteti West, and was regarded as having no threat or influence in the congress.

“The greatest mistake was to undermine Tsogwane and this is where they lost the plot on Friday night,”   revealed a source who attended the long night of knives called by Masisi’s camp as the gambit worked.

The Moitoi camp had the numbers from all Serowe constituencies and some from Nata/Gweta and was sure that when elections came they would get the nod. The only worry for the camp was that former MP for Serowe South Tebelelo Seretse had the support of the councilors from the constituency.

Seretse has recently publicly declared her support for President Masisi brought her influence to bear in the constituency.

“We were shocked when the results came out and didn’t see this one coming,” decried a delegate from Serowe South.

THE GAME CHANGERS IN CENTRAL REGION

Goabamong Steady Setlhaba

The real shock to the camp which left even their godfather numb was  when Goabamong Steady Setlhaba stood up and nominated President Masisi as well as calling for the deferment of the elective congress.

Sethaba was the constituency administrator for Khama from 1998 until 2008. The two were very close. For a long time the camp assumed that he was on their side until he showed his allegiance at Serowe College of Education where the congress was held.

Tebelelo Seretse

Still nursing her political wounds inflicted on her in the party’s primary elections in Serowe South, Seretse realigned herself and declared her support for the incumbent president Masisi.

One of the reasons why she didn’t support Venson-Moitoi’s presidential ambitions was that she didn’t support her when she challenged Masisi for the party chairpersonship in 2015 at Mmadinare Elective Congress. A political schemer of note, Seretse played a pivotal role in ensuring that Masisi got the nomination in the Central Region, especially within the three Serowe constituencies.

Slumber Tsogwane

A campaigner par excellence, Tsogwane brought down Venson-Moitoi’s camp on their own backyard last weekend. Those close to him describe him as a very assertive, combative and constantly hitting off the front foot. He displayed that last weekend against the much fancied camp.

When he was appointed the Vice President, many political pundits said he was too cold and quiet for the position. Tsogwane rarely speaks. Recently some MPs from the ruling party called on him to address the impasse between President Masisi and Khama.

Those close to him say he is smart politician who knows when to strike and when to hold his artillery. On Friday and Saturday he proved his mettle when he ensured that the most treasured and game changing region supported his boss.

WHO ARE THE PARTY ELDERS?

Ian Khama

He has publicly stated that his support for Venson-Moitoi and is regarded not only as a party elder but paramount chief of the region. He is expected to address the gathering.

Lesego Raditanka

One of the country’s longest serving councilor, Raditanka is one the campaign managers for Venson-Moitoi campdue to his vast experience within the party. The 65-year-old politician has been a councillor for 40 years. He was the chairperson of Central District Council (CDC) for 10 years before he lost Peter Williams in 2014.

Atamelang Thaga –Serowe Central ward councilor

He is said to be one of the purported elders who have called for meeting to map way forward and know why Venson-Moitoi lost in the region. Thaga is a former Information Officer for BDP Youth Wing who served during the late Gomolemo Motswaledi’s tenure as the chairperson of the wing.

Albert Padi

Former councilor in Selibe-Phikwe, Padi is said to be one of the elders who are not happy with the results.

Prince Moitoi

He is the husband to Venson-Moitoi and though he only joined the BDP recently from Alliance Progressives, he is said to have moved up the ladder quickly and found himself among party elders. The invitation sent to the media bore his name as one of the people to be contacted regarding the Sunday meeting.

Tags: masisiMOITOI
Previous Post

Court orders Teisi be reinstated to her post

Next Post

BDP edges close to split

Related Posts

FMD surges in SA
News

FMD surges in SA

October 6, 2025
Botswana Council of Churches calls for peace
News

Botswana Council of Churches calls for peace

October 6, 2025
Botswana defends slaughtering elephants
News

Botswana defends slaughtering elephants

October 6, 2025
Boko gave voices to some, but…
News

Boko gave voices to some, but…

October 6, 2025
Boko CRACKS
News

Boko CRACKS

October 6, 2025
UDC chaos open Up Kgalagadi South
News

UDC chaos open Up Kgalagadi South

October 2, 2025
Next Post
BDP edges close to split

BDP edges close to split

Please login to join discussion
  • Where are the ladies?October 7, 2025
    Botswana enjoys athletics success but… NANCY RAMOKHUA RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults editors@thepatriot.co.bw   Questionably for several years now, ladies in athletics have their representation visibly missing at international… Read more: Where are the ladies?
  • FMD surges in SAOctober 6, 2025
    Border villages,Tlokweng on high alert Cattle crossing into SA to be slaughtered Farmers to conduct FMD routine checks   BAKANG TIRO RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults editors@thepatriot.co.bw   Government… Read more: FMD surges in SA
  • Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaultsOctober 6, 2025
    Government’s growing fiscal pressures escalate risks of default in household and business loan repayments   RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults STAFF WRITER editors@thepatriot.co.bw Arrears on loans to the household… Read more: Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults
  • Botswana Council of Churches calls for peaceOctober 6, 2025
    GORATAONE KGOSIMORE editors@thepatriot.co.bw RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults   Rev. Mmachakga Moruakgomo, representing the Botswana Council of Churches, on August 2025 undertook a diplomatic visit to Ukraine aimed at… Read more: Botswana Council of Churches calls for peace
  • Botswana defends slaughtering elephantsOctober 6, 2025
    Global uproar over killing 21 elephants for Independence festivities KITSO RAMONO editors@patriot.co.bw RelatedPosts Where are the ladies? FMD surges in SA Banks report P5.98 billion loan defaults   The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has confirmed authorising the killing… Read more: Botswana defends slaughtering elephants
The Patriot On Sunday

© 2024 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders

© 2024 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?