- Masisi reportedly undecided on his successor
- Masisi, Tsogwane not in the best of terms – claims
- Tsogwane constituency wants him to succeed Masisi
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
There is much doubt that President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane have reached any deal regarding a succession plan.
President Masisi is approaching his second and final presidential term but numerous sources who are privy to such developments in the ruling party suggest that the two men seem to hold contrasting opinions on the succession plan.
Keen to stay on
It is understood that when Tsogwane was appointed Vice President in April 2018, he was expected to retire from active politics ahead of the 2024 general elections. However, it turns out he is keen to hold onto his position and ultimately succeed Masisi.
“He is very active on the ground in his constituency and has the support of the party structures,” says an impeccable source. “The people of Boteti want Slumber to go all the way.”
In 2022, the Secretary of BDP Boteti West Branch, Mareko Molebatsi, told this publication that they had made a proposition for Tsogwane not to retire and that it was the desire of the people of Boteti to see one of their own assume the country’s top seat.
Other options
However, President Masisi is said to have his eyes elsewhere for his successor. “President Masisi seems to have other options for VP,” says another source. “There are a number of names that have been mentioned, including those of Peggy Serame, Kabo Morwaeng, Lemogang Kwape and Kagiso Mmusi.”
In addition, it is alleged that Masisi and Tsogwane’s relationship is not as good as it used to be. Some of Tsogwane’s sympathisers believe that President Masisi failed to give Tsogwane his full backing for the Vice President’s chairmanship bid at the BDP elective congress in Tsabong last year.
“We had expected that Masisi would go all out to support Tsogwane as Khama did for him in Tonota in 2017,” says a third source. “We have even been told by some ministers that the relationship of the two is not the same as before.”
Meanwhile, observers believe that should Tsogwane defy Masisi and run in the 2023 BDP primaries, two centres of power may be created going into the 2024 general elections. Some even predict that it is only a matter of time before a Tsogwane faction emerges.