• as BDP retains Kgalagadi North
Transport magnate Talita Monnakgotla, who walloped her opponent Phillip Khwae to retain Kgalagadi North under Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has promised to work hard to develop the constituency, which is among those with the highest level of unemployment and poverty in Botswana.
Speaking in Hukuntsi after she was declared a winner, Monnakgotla assured residents of Kgalagadi North that she will continue with the spirit of compassion to help those who are underprivileged in the community. Monnakgotla’s victory was not a walk in a park because she was facing Khwae who had more political experience than her. Khwae has served as a councillor for Kang North for two consecutive terms and later ascended the position of a Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi North for only one term before being dethroned by outgoing Assistant Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services Itumeleng
Moipisi in 2014.
However, Monnakgotla displayed her fighting spirit during Bulela Ditswe -BDP primary elections, where she defeated Moipisi on two occasions. BDP has won Kgalagadi North constituency for the second time after winning it during the 2014 general elections from Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Monnakgotla entered this year’s general election in uncertain position of retaining power. For the first time in history of Botswana, BDP had ruled with minority rule and it was saved by First-Past-the-Post system which has been used in Botswana since independence.
Judging from 2014 general elections, many political pundits had already written a political obituary for BDP. The conflict between the former President Khama and Masisi also add a salt to an injury. Masisi traversed the length and breath of the country addressing BDP regions in an effort to bring the party faithful to his side. Despite this political predicament Monnakgotla proved to critics that BDP can still be trusted with the future of Kgalagadi North residents. Monnakgotla beat her opponent Phillip Khwae of UDC with 5534 votes against 5072 votes. The win margin had double for BDP which won the constituency in 2014 general elections represented by Moipisi. Moipisi gained 4648 votes to beat Phillip Khwae of UDC who was voted by 4410 people.
Kgalagadi North Returning Officer, Petson Dibotelo said in an interview that the process of voting was without any disturbance in the whole constituency due to good working relationship between IEC officials and residents of Kgalagadi North. Dibotelo who announced the results on the absentia of both candidates applauded Kgalagadi North residents for their good conduct during voting.
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