07 Jun 2022

Kweneng District councillors unanimously retained Messrs Motlhopi Leo and Duncan Ramasiagopana as Kweneng District Council chairperson and deputy respectively on Monday. 

The duo, whose nomination was unopposed, was endorsed by councillors during a special council meeting held in Molepolole Monday. 

Mr Leo is not new to the district council leadership having served as chairperson prior to the 2019 general elections.     

His deputy,  Mr Ramasiagopana on the other hand once led Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-council as chairperson for two and half years after the 2014 general elections.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Leo, thanked councillors for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the council once again. 

That, he said, demonstrated trust in his capabilities adding  that he would forever remain thankful and not take the opportunity for granted.

The council chair acknowledged that not much was achieved in the last term due to the COVID 19 pandemic. 

Mr Leo therefore urged councillors to work around the clock to ensure they delivered on their electoral promises in the remaining period in order to leave a mark.

He challenged councillors to come up with better ways of improving service delivery as well as to double their efforts in developing communities.

For his part, urged councillors to put aside their political differences and instead put “the people first.” 

He expressed concern that Kweneng District was lagging behind development-wise despite its proximity to the capital city.  

Mr Ramasiagopana appealed to councillors to use all available resources to speed up project implementation before their term elapsed in 2024. 

Meanwhile the three sub-councils also elected new leadership on the day.

In Molepolole/Lentsweletau Administration Authority, Cllr Allen Jacobs retained his seat as chair deputised by Cllr Slumber Mokgosi. The duo was unopposed.

Councillors Ofentse Mafoko and Bakang Matlho also retained their seats as chair and deputy for Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-council. They were also unopposed.

In Letlhakeng Sub-council, Councillor Meshack Tshenyego retained the chairmanship position after beating Councillor Lopang Sebutlenyane by 11 votes to four with one vote spoilt. 

For the vice chairmanship position, Councillor Neo Segaise clinched it by beating Councillor Johane Gaosafele by 11 votes to five. 

Elections for council leadership are held twice during the life of Botswana’s five-year parliamentary term, immediately after the general election and two and half years later as stipulated by the Local Government Act.ends