11 Dec 2016

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.

Such are the words of Margaret Thatcher, and indeed the 'iron lady' hit the nail on the head as evidenced by the Friday (Dec 9) evening's first ever public debate that the African Union staged for those eyeing the post of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.
The debate, which was broadcast live at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, was a precursor to AUC chairperson's elections scheduled for January 30-31 in the capital of Ethiopia.

Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi was the only contender who was left in the race, after leading the votes in the elections at the 27th AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda during the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, while other candidates; Dr Specioza Kazibwe of Uganda and Mr Agapito Mokuy of Equatorial Guinea abandoned their aspirations.

The continental bloc would be repeating the elections after the candidates failed to garner sufficient votes.

“I envision a united Africa. An Africa we can call home. An Africa we can invest in.” - Pelonomi Venson Moitoi #Botswana #MjadalaAfrika, was how the calm and collected Dr Venson-Moitoi announced her motto.

She fancies herself as the best candidate. “I applied for this job as an African woman who believes in this Africa - who believes that we all have a role to play in our continent - who believes that we must serve our continent. I know I can deliver on that dream, I will take that dream and make it walk - I know I can and I have that capability, my work has proved it and given that chance, I will make it walk for you Africa,” said Dr Venson-Moitoi during the debate.
Some few minutes later into the debate, social media went abuzz not only from Botswana, but from all over Africa, and this is what some of them said;

Awiti@alexawiti: #MjadalaAfrika Pelonomi made a truly compelling case for why she is best qualified for the job; translating wishes into prgrms.

The lady from Botswana is pretty solid, deep and substantive in her answers. Very different in style from @AMB-A-Mohammed.

Youngblood JR Macmillan: Yea this is powerful....but for my own opinion I think women should be given the chance to be leaders...#Big_up_Botswana : um with Hon.Pelonomi V.Moitoi
Bakary Manneh: Either Abdoulaye Batchilly of Senegal or Venson Moitoi of Botswana, Dr Mohamed from Kenya a third choice.

George Mooketsi: True African woman with brains so watch BTV for live debate from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and our own candidate Hon. Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi
Mfontoh Blaise @mfontoh_blaise Dec 9: @AUC_DPA @VensonMoitoi we need these policies ASAP in Cameroon in this struggle policies and politics have spilled off violence here
Rural Youth @RYDEC_Cameroun Dec 9: @vensonmoitoi commits to implement @_AfricanUnion laws on @OurGirlsAU and domestic violence targeting women. #MjadalaAfrika
Gabo Radipata: Botswana's Pelonomi V.Moitoi is the candidate.

Kokou S. DJAGADOU @huguofrom Dec 9: The #Botswana candidate presents her vision for Africa #MjadalaAfrika for an Africa that is closer to Member States. “On silencing the guns: We must implement ACDEG as well as strengthen AGA & APSA “

Other candidates were Chad's Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat, Equatorial Guinea's Foreign Minister Agapito Mba Mokuy, Kenya's Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and Senegal's Abdoulaye Bathily as well as UN special envoy for Central Africa. ENDS