10 Dec 2023

Botswana Congress Party’s Mr Moalosi has won Lepokole/Borotsi council ward in a Saturday bye-election. Mr Afa won with a margin of 506, garnering 860 votes against 354 of Botswana Democratic Party’s Mr Letso Leshiba and 126 of Umbrella for Democratic Change’s Mr Boitumelo Nyambe. Eighteen votes were rejected.

Mr Afa will be joining fellow councilors at the Bobirwa District Council chambers today for a full council sitting.

The bye-election followed the departure of the then councilor Mr Motseothata Mafoko who resigned the political seat for greener pastures.

 Mr Afa said that the campaign for the office was a very challenging and uneven terrain. He thanked the voters for their confidence in the BCP and himself, promising to work hard and deliver on his promises.

“I will reward the voter who spent hours queuing under roasting sun to usher me into council chambers with nothing, but hard work and delivery,” said Mr Afa.

Mr Afa also thanked the campaign manager Mr Letsogile Koketso for ensuring that the voters elected him ahead of the other two candidates.

“This was not an easy journey, it was challenging. But through your perseverance and hard work we managed,” said the newly elected councilor who also extended his appreciation to the BCP faithfuls.

Although Mr Afa found the campaign challenging, the campaign manager Mr Koketso said his task was the easiest.

He laid the same claim last week, promising a walkover.

 “Our candidate had already built a profile for himself and that made our job very easy,” said Mr Koketso.

“We had also built a rapport with the electorate…we conducted house-to-house campaigns and some political rallies to engage with the constituents,” he added.

Additionally, he said that his party ensured consistent and constant visibility in the ward at all times.

Conceding defeat, BDP’s Mr Leshiba said that only one person had to win and unfortunately it was not him.

He thanked the voters and the party for showing faith in him.

He also thanked his competitors for a fair tussle.

Mr Nyambe said the results showed the magnitude of the competition.

He said that he accepted the challenge to stand for elections despite being fully aware that the ward was BCP’s stronghold. ENDS