Former South East District Council (SDEC) chairperson Phenyo Segokgo has reentered politics, now aiming for a seat in Parliament. Shifting his focus from local council affairs, he has won the BNF primary elections, defeating his cousin, former MP Masego Segokgo.
In the primary race, Masego received 112 votes, while Segokgo garnered 690 votes, and Edward Lekoko received 177 votes. Masego previously served as the Member of Parliament for Tlokweng, winning the 2017 by-election following the death of MP Same Bathobakae.
Segokgo is well-regarded for his effective service delivery during his tenure as SDEC chairperson, where he oversaw Tlokweng's transition to a full council, no longer under Ramotswa's jurisdiction. His strong track record has led many within the BNF to believe he is well-positioned to win the constituency, even against his cousin Thulaganyo Segokgo, a member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
Despite losing the 2019 General Election, Segokgos performance remains highly esteemed, particularly after Tlokweng's transition to a full council in 2024. However, he faces challenges in reconciling party members who feel the Alliance for Progressives does not deserve certain wards based on their 2019 performance.
Segokgo emphasized the need for party unity and called on the leadership to foster cohesion. Addressing voters on Saturday, he expressed gratitude to those who attended despite the postponement of the primaries. He stressed the importance of engaging with all candidates he contested against to promote collaboration.
"It has to be clear, these are my uncles; we are not fighting. We had differences in how we see things only," Segokgo clarified, highlighting the need for party unity to reclaim the area from the BDP. He acknowledged that leaders are not perfect and should not be judged solely on past mistakes, especially those made in youth.
Segokgo urged members to campaign for him with full commitment and dedication, emphasizing the necessity of daily campaigning to leave no stone unturned.
