Saleshando to settle for Maun West
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There is light at the end of the tunnel for Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president, Dumelang Saleshando as his hunt for a constituency towards the 2019 general elections might have just come to an end.
Saleshando is set to contest under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) ticket in Maun West. This follows unsuccessful attempts to dethrone, Goretetse Kekgonegile in Maun East. The party has since realised it will be shooting itself in the foot because Kekgonegile is popular. However, comradeship among UDC contracting partners, especially with the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) may pay dividends to one of Botswana’s political heavy weights.
BMD, which won the constituency in 2014 through Batawana paramount Chief, Tawana Moremi, is highly likely to give Saleshando the Maun West ticket since the party does not have a strong candidate to contest for that constituency. Kgosi Tawana has since resigned from politics and is reported to be sympathetic to Alliance for Progressives (AP).
Negotiations are said to be ongoing between the BCP delegation and the BMD according to sources who spoke to this publication. Saleshando’s case according to sources in North West was further eased by the fact that there is currently no serious candidate for the BMD in the constituency.
Tawana’s anointed candidate, Moalosi Sebati has since defected to the Alliance for Progressives (AP). Kubung ward Councilor, Galaletsang Mhapha who was tipped to contest the parliamentary seat for the party has also joined the BCP. This compelled the UDC/BMD leadership to consider Saleshando as the candidate for the constituency, more so that he is considered a more sellable candidate against Reaboka Mbulawa. “We have a surprise for Mbulawa in 2019, I cannot say anything for now but soon you will see,” one UDC activist in Maun told this publication on Thursday morning.
The idea to contest in Maun West has always been supported by many within the BCP and UDC because they are of the view that Saleshando is a household name and will be easy to sell as a candidate. The party is said to have reconsidered making Kekgonegile pave way for Saleshando after deep thought and arriving at the idea that should they go that route, the party would be shooting itself in the foot. Kekgonegile’s popularity in Maun East is said to have grown immensely since 2014.
“Yes he is a sellable product who can contest well in West (Maun) because Reaboka Mbulawa is unopposed and already he has one foot in parliament. If you bring Saleshando there it is easy to convince voters because he is a household name. But then when he ousts Kekgonegile who is popular here (Maun East), chances are they may lose,” said a source.
This could effectively mean that the BCP’s 2014 candidate in the area George Lubinda’s political days are numbered. This argument is based on the fact that Kekgonegile lost the 2014 elections to Konstantinos Markos of the BDP by 6046 votes to 5304; with Osimilwe Fish of the UDC a distant third with 2062 votes. This is a slim margin which the BCP can turn around in 2019, should Saleshando be allowed to contest in Maun East.
It is expected that Saleshando who has served two terms (2004-14) in Parliament representing Gaborone Central could turn tables around in Maun- a traditional BDP stronghold. In 2014 UDC’s Tawana Moremi II won it comfortably by garnering 7271, with Mbulawa getting 5335 and BCP‘s George Lubinda managing 2359. The pendulum was swinging in favour of Mbulawa in the absence of Kgosi Tawana, but now the ‘surprise’ could be an insurmountable mountain for the BDP’s money man.
At the time of going to press it was not yet clear whether this was the beginning of cooperation between opposition parties in the Umbrella. BMD leaders had in the past categorically said they will not share their constituencies with any party, even those in the umbrella.
“I have not yet meet the UDC/BMD leadership over the issue. I was in Maun over the holidays. Some people in the constituency have asked me to consider contesting in Maun, I will definitely consider the request,” Saleshando said when asked about the matter.
“We are not yet at a stage to answer questions regarding either council or constituency candidates for 2019. We are though getting ready for primary elections in all our 14 UDC given constituency,” BMD spokesperson Winfred Rasina said when asked whether they have given Saleshando leeway to contest in Maun West.
Rasina further added that, “We continue to engage our regional, branch and wards structures to provide and to be provided with guidance on how to ensure a smooth process of primary elections and as to where possible allow branches to decide on a consensus candidate.”
Maun, like other constituencies including Molepolole will be the centre of attraction in 2019 as no party is certain who will bag them.
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FaR Property Company (FPC) Limited, a property investment company listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, has recently announced its exceptional financial results for the year 2023. The company’s property asset value has risen to P1.47 billion, up from P1.42 billion in the previous year.
FPC has a diverse portfolio of properties, including retail, commercial, industrial, and residential properties in Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia. The company owns a total of 186 properties, generating rental revenues from various sectors. In 2023, the company recorded rental revenues of P11 million from residential properties, P62 million from industrial properties, and P89 million from commercial properties. Overall, the company’s total revenues increased by 9% to P153 million, while profit before tax increased by 22% to P136 million, and operating profit increased by 11% to P139 million.
One notable achievement for FPC is the low vacancy rate across its properties, which stands at only 6%. This is particularly impressive considering the challenging trading environment. The company attributes this success to effective lease management and the leasing of previously vacant properties in South Africa. FPC’s management expressed satisfaction with the results, highlighting the resilience of the company in the face of ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
The increase in profit before tax can be attributed to both an increase in income and effective control of operating expenses. FPC managed to achieve these results with fewer employees, demonstrating the company’s efficiency. The headline earnings per linked unit also saw an improvement, reaching 26.92 thebe, higher than the previous year.
Looking ahead, FPC remains confident in its competitiveness and growth prospects. The company possesses a substantial land bank, which it plans to develop strategically as opportunities arise. FPC aims for managed growth, focusing on consumer-driven developments and ensuring the presence of supportive tenants. By maintaining this approach, the company believes it can sustainably grow its property portfolio and remain competitive in the market.
In terms of the macroeconomic environment, FPC noted that inflation rates are decreasing towards the 3% to 6% range approved by the Bank of Botswana. This is positive news for the company, as it hopes for further decreases in interest rates. However, the fluctuating fuel prices, influenced by global events such as the war in Ukraine and oil output reductions by Russia and other Middle Eastern countries, continue to impact businesses, including some of FPC’s tenants.
FPC’s property portfolio includes notable assets such as a shopping mall in Francistown with Choppies Hyper as the anchor tenant, Borogo Mall located on the A33 main road near the Kazungula ferry crossing, and various industrial and commercial properties in Gaborone leased to Choppies, Senn Foods, and Clover Botswana. The company also owns a shopping mall in Mafikeng and Rustenburg in South Africa.
The majority of FPC’s properties, 85%, are located in Botswana, followed by 12% in South Africa and 3% in Zambia. With its strong financial performance, competitive position, and strategic land bank, FPC is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the property market.

The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has taken a significant step towards diversifying its energy mix by signing a power purchase agreement with Sekaname Energy for the production of power from coal bed methane in Mmashoro village. This agreement marks a major milestone for the energy sector in Botswana as the country transitions from a coal-fired power generation system to a new energy mix comprising coal, gas, solar, and wind.
The CEO of BPC, David Kgoboko, explained that the Power Purchase Agreement is for a 6MW coal bed methane proof of concept project to be developed around Mmashoro village. This project aligns with BPC’s strategic initiatives to increase the proportion of low-carbon power generation sources and renewable energy in the energy mix. The use of coal bed methane for power generation is an exciting development as it provides a hybrid solution with non-dispatchable sources of generation like solar PV. Without flexible base-load generation, the deployment of non-dispatchable solar PV generation would be limited.
Kgoboko emphasized that BPC is committed to enabling the development of a gas supply industry in Botswana. Sekaname Energy, along with other players in the coal bed methane exploration business, is a key and strategic partner for BPC. The successful development of a gas supply industry will enable the realization of a secure and sustainable energy mix for the country.
The Minister of Minerals & Energy, Lefoko Moagi, expressed his support for the initiative by the private sector to develop a gas industry in Botswana. The country has abundant coal reserves, and the government fully supports the commercial extraction of coal bed methane gas for power generation. The government guarantees that BPC will purchase the generated electricity at reasonable tariffs, providing cash flow to the developers and enabling them to raise equity and debt funding for gas extraction development.
Moagi highlighted the benefits of developing a gas supply industry, including diversified primary energy sources, economic diversification, import substitution, and employment creation. He commended Sekaname Energy for undertaking a pilot project to prove the commercial viability of extracting coal bed methane for power generation. If successful, this initiative would unlock the potential of a gas production industry in Botswana.
Sekaname Energy CEO, Peter Mmusi, emphasized the multiple uses of natural gas and its potential to uplift Botswana’s economy. In addition to power generation, natural gas can be used for gas-to-liquids, compressed natural gas, and fertilizer production. Mmusi revealed that Sekaname has already invested $57 million in exploration and infrastructure throughout its resource area. The company plans to spend another $10-15 million for the initial 6MW project and aims to invest over $500 million in the future for a 90MW power plant. Sekaname’s goal is to assist BPC in becoming a net exporter of power within the region and to contribute to Botswana’s transition to cleaner energy production.
In conclusion, the power purchase agreement between BPC and Sekaname Energy for the production of power from coal bed methane in Mmashoro village is a significant step towards diversifying Botswana’s energy mix. This project aligns with BPC’s strategic initiatives to increase the proportion of low-carbon power generation sources and renewable energy. The government’s support for the development of a gas supply industry and the commercial extraction of coal bed methane will bring numerous benefits to the country, including economic diversification, import substitution, and employment creation. With the potential to become a net exporter of power and a cleaner energy producer, Botswana is poised to make significant strides in its energy sector.

It is not clear as to when, but before taking a festive break in few weeks’ time UDC leaders would have convened to address the ongoing deadlock surrounding constituency allocation in the negotiations for the 2024 elections. The leaders, Duma Boko of the UDC, Mephato Reggie Reatile of the BPF, and Ndaba Gaolathe of the AP, are expected to meet and discuss critical matters and engage in dialogue regarding the contested constituencies.
The negotiations hit a stalemate when it came to allocating constituencies, prompting the need for the leaders to intervene. Representatives from the UDC, AP, and BPF were tasked with negotiating the allocation, with Dr. Patrick Molotsi and Dr. Philip Bulawa representing the UDC, and Dr. Phenyo Butale and Wynter Mmolotsi representing the AP.
The leaders’ meeting is crucial in resolving the contentious issue of constituency allocation, which has caused tension among UDC members and potential candidates for the 2024 elections. After reaching an agreement, the leaders will engage with the members of each constituency to gauge their opinions and ensure that the decisions made are favored by the rank and file. This approach aims to avoid unnecessary costs and conflicts during the general elections.
One of the main points of contention is the allocation of Molepolole South, which the BNF is adamant about obtaining. In the 2019 elections, the UDC was the runner-up in Molepolole South, securing the second position in seven out of eight wards. Other contested constituencies include Metsimotlhabe, Kgatleng East and West, Mmadinare, Francistown East, Shashe West, Boteti East, and Lerala Maunatlala.
The criteria used for constituency allocation have also become a point of dispute among the UDC member parties. The issue of incumbency is particularly contentious, as the criterion for constituency allocation suggests that current holders of UDC’s council and parliamentary seats should be given priority for re-election without undergoing primary elections. Disadvantaged parties argue that this approach limits democratic competition and hinders the emergence of potentially more capable candidates.
Another disputed criterion is the allocation based on the strength and popularity of a party in specific areas. Parties argue that this is a subjective criterion that leads to disputes and favoritism, as clear metrics for strength and visibility cannot be defined. The BNF, in particular, questions the demands of the new entrants, the BPF and AP, as they lack a traceable track record to support their high expectations.
The unity and cohesion of the UDC are at stake, with the BPF and AP expressing dissatisfaction and considering withdrawing from the negotiations. Therefore, it is crucial for the leaders to expedite their meeting and find a resolution to these disputes.
In the midst of these negotiations, the BNF has already secured 15 constituencies within the UDC coalition. While the negotiations are still ongoing, BNF Chairman Dr. Molotsi revealed that they have traditionally held these constituencies and are expecting to add more to their tally. The constituencies include Gantsi North, Gantsi South, Kgalagadi North, Kgalagadi South, Good Hope – Mmathethe, Kanye North, Kanye South, Lobatse, Molepolole North, Gaborone South, Gaborone North, Gaborone Bonnignton North, Takatokwane, Letlhakeng, and Tlokweng.
The resolution of the contested constituencies will test the ability of the UDC to present a united front in the 2024 National Elections will depend on the decisions made by the three leaders. It is essential for them to demonstrate maturity and astuteness in resolving the constituency allocation deadlock and ensuring the cohesion of the UDC.