11 Nov 2025

The Radio Botswana debate brought together five candidates eyeing the Kgalagadi South constituency as the by-election scheduled for Saturday draws close.

During the debate held in Tsabong on Sunday, candidates presented their visions for the constituency which fell vacant following the passing of Member of Parliament, Dr Micus Chimbombi, on July 26. 

Hopeful to win hearts of the voters include Mr Tshephang Brooks of Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Mr Phenyo Sedimonyane representing the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), Ms Diana Kaartzee of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), and Umbrella for Democratic Change’s Mr Tokyo Modise, as well as Independent candidate Mr Kealeboga Kapeko. 

In their debate, they focused on challenges besieging the constituency among them health crisis, poor infrastructure particularly the district’s neglected road network. BDP’s Ms Kaartzee expressed concern about shortage of essential medicines and the general poor state of health facilities.

She expressed confidence that her professional background and experience within the government health system uniquely qualified her to improve services if elected.

Mr Kapeko, an independent candidate, argued that the deplorable state of roads in the area limited developments and efforts to boost economic activities. He said Kgalagadi presents business opportunities,  which if harnessed may serve as a game changer. 

Mr Sedimonyane of BPF described the roads as “poor and dangerous,” referencing a tragic accident a month ago on the Struizendum road where a vehicle transporting a corpse was involved in an accident, resulting in a fatality. He argued that it was about time, the status of the roads improved.

On issues of policy,  BCP’s Mr Brooks stated that if elected to Parliament, his focus would be on addressing youth unemployment, which he described as the district’s challenging social issue. 

Candidates also expressed concern over slow delivery of promises by the UDC-government regarding among others increase of Ipelegeng monthly wages, the 100,000 jobs, and the P300 allowance for nursing mothers. 

However, UDC’s Mr Modise acknowledged the challenges and reassured the public that, given time, things would return to normal. Mr Modise, an experienced educator, also expressed confidence in his ability to improve and transform the local education system. ENDS