17 Apr 2016

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi sought her constituency’s blessings on her African Union chairmanship candidacy during a series of kgotla meetings she held in Serowe South.

“I would have loved to come to inform you of my AU chairmanship candidacy and request that I do not stand for 2019 elections from you, but the media overtook me and went on to misrepresent me,” Dr Venson-Moitoi informed the electorate.

She apologised for the confusion the news could have caused the constituents.

She said whilst pondering on breaking the news to her constituents, the AU chairmanship issue came up, and together with the President, they decided that she takes her chances.

She said consequently, Botswana wrote to SADC states requesting that they support her candidacy.

The minister said she felt inclined to inform her constituents about her future endeavours since they entrusted her with representing them since 2003.

She allayed fears of her departure, saying there were capable candidates to represent them once she vacates the Serowe South MP seat.

However, Dr Venson-Moitoi was concerned by those who were positioning themselves for her seat and causing confusion amongst the electorate.

She assured them that she was still their MP until after the June AU chairmanship elections whereupon she would get back to the electorate to discuss the way forward.

She said her success at AU would force her to vacate her MP seat. She also promised that she would assist them in finding her replacement.

“If I succeed in June, I will come back to you on a way forward, and if I fail I will still be your MP until 2019,” said Dr Venson-Moitoi. ENDS