25 Sep 2022

Councillor Florah Mpetsane of North East District Council is the new president of Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA).

Cllr Mpetsane, who was the association’s former vice president garnered 50 votes against contenders, Cllr Ketshwereng Galeragwe of Central District Council who got 33 and Cllr Fankie Motshathebe of Southern District Council who trailed with 15 votes.

Cllr Mpho Dithole of Southern District Council was elected vice president with 59 votes against Ms Seilatsatsi Kgokong of South East District Council who got 38.

Cllr Modise Madumane of Ghanzi District Council is the association’s new treasurer having been elected by 37 members, beating Cllr Leonard Mojuta of Selebi-Phikwe Town Council and Cllr William Selei from Central District Council who got 35 and 20 votes respectively.

Francistown City Council mayor, Cllr Godisang Radisigo was elected project and fundraising officer while Cllr Shimane Thelo of Southern District Council and Cllr Khumo Sebereko of Gaborone City Council won the additional members positions.

The elections were not without hiccups as Central District Council branch chairperson, Cllr Thatayamodimo Xhabue queried some irregularities on the voters roll.

He argued that lower structures should be elected before the National Executive Committee (NEC).

Cllr Xhabue stated that the electoral college composed of all the NEC members, all council chairpersons and mayors, branch chairpersons and their secretaries, chairpersons of commissions and two delegates from each council.

As such, he said BALA NEC was non-existing since the commissions had not been elected and declared, “I now take the voters roll for BALA national conference null and void.”

However, the conference was reportedly, lawfully convened as per article 9.1.4 of the constitution.

This did not sit well with some councilors who supported Cllr Xhabue that the commission chairpersons be elected before NEC.

After a lengthy discussion, a consensus was reached and the commission chairpersons were elected.

Meanwhile, in her acceptance speech, Cllr Mpetsane thanked the gathering for exercising their democratic right to vote candidates whom they trusted could lead the association.

She said failure to participate in the elections would be defeating the process of democracy. She  assured them of team work, to advance the association.

“There were turbulences in the election exercise but we managed to remain calm and conduct fair and free elections. I thank you for your cooperation,” stated Cllr Mpetsane.

She promised to continue driving the association’s mandate, to promote unity and cooperation among local authorities as well as developing all members.

Cllr Botshelobokae Ramasu of North West District Council said the forum was an eye opener to members, that going forward, they should apply the constitution rather than sticking to what he termed the practice, when conducting elections.

She urged the new committee to execute their duties diligently and speak with one voice.

Cllr Ramasu said committee members should engage each other and create a smooth working relationship in order to push the mandate of the association for the benefit of local authorities which aimed to change the economic landscape of their districts and subsequently, the country.

She said the primary existence of BALA was to enhance service delivery and to promote good governance hence she challenged the executive to make the association visible and make government appreciate its importance. ENDS