04 Sep 2022

The Media Institution of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana chapter elections which were scheduled for Saturday did not take place after delegates disagreed with some election regulations.

MISA regional director, Dr Tabani Moyo had stated that any politically affiliated candidate was disqualified, and that one of MISA’s mandate was to protect and defend media freedom in Southern Africa. 

He stated that for that to happen, candidates must not be politically affiliated.

He noted that MISA had over the years shunned participating in the political space to avoid being captured by politicians. 

That, he said, had been upheld by the institution over the past 30 years.

“The day we gain political bargage will be the end of MISA and remember what has happened to other chapters when they tried to cross the floor into politics. They were advised to relinquish their MISA membership,” he said.

The pronouncement did not sit well with some delegates who felt the regulations were selective. They argued that MISA  had had political activists within its ranks, including the current leadership. They felt it was specifically targeting chairperson candidate, Mr Godfrey Ganetsang to contest. Mr Ganetsang is a member of the ruling BDP communications sub-committee. The meeting agreed on a postponement for three months to give the current board- the opportunity to clean the voters roll and come up with clear election regulations.

In an interview, Mr Ganetsang said he would continue with his ambition of contesting for MISA elections. 

He added that the postponement would give his camp time to prepare for the elections. 

He said there had been a smear campaign against his team and that they would take the opportunity to set the record straight.

“Our message is straightforward, we are there for journalists and nothing else. What happened today will not deter us from preaching to journalists as to why it is important for them to vote for us,” he said.

On the pronouncement that he was not eligible to stand for office, Mr Ganetsang said he was guided by the MISA constitution which did not identify anyone as a politician. 

Mr Victor Baatweng, who is a secretary general candidate for another camp, said elections were draining emotionally and that they did not plan for a postponement. 

“The postponement means were are going to go through another hectic process which is not healthy to our mental health,” he said. Ends