Gomolemo Motswaledi

Gomolemo Motswaledi
President of Botswana Movement for Democracy
In office 29 April 2011 – 30 July 2014
Succeeded by	Ndaba Gaolathe
Secretary General for Umbrella for Democratic Change
In office 2013–2014
Succeeded by	Ndaba Gaolathe
Secretary General of Botswana Democratic Party
In office July 2009 – August 2009
Preceded by	Jacob Nkate
Succeeded by	Thato Kwerepe
Chairman of Botswana Democratic Party Youth Wing
In office 2000–2004
Preceded by	Lesang Magang
Succeeded by	Kefentse Mzwinila
Personal details
Born	19 June 1970 Mahalapye
Died	July 30, 2014(2014-07-30) (aged 44)
Resting place	Serowe
Nationality	Motswana
Political party	Botswana Movement for Democracy
Alma mater	University of Botswana
Profession	Politician Music composer

Gomolemo Thatayaone Motswaledi (19 June 1970– 30 July 2014) was a liberal Motswana politician and music composer who co-founded the Botswana Movement for Democracy in 2010. Motswaledi also co-founded Umbrella for Democratic Change and served as its first Secretary General until his death in 2014.

Motswaledi started his political career in the Botswana Democratic Party playing a key role in establishment of the party organ known as GS-26 whilst a student at University of Botswana. He later served in the BDP sub-committee before being elected to serve as Chairman of the National Youth Executive Committee between 2000 and 2004. He was elected party secretary general in 2009 but was shortly removed from the position after being suspended for 60 days and ultimately for five years by president Ian Khama at the height of party factional wars.

Biography

Motswaledi was born 19 June 1970 in Mahalapye, Botswana. He was raised and schooled in Serowe. He performed his National Service (Tirelo Sechaba) in Shakawe, and received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and History from the University of Botswana.

Motswaledi died in a car crash on 30 July 2014.[1][2][3][4]

Political career

• 1st year at University of Botswana he joined Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)'s University students wing, the GS26 as Treasurer and later became its chairman
• President of BDP Youth league
• Joined Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs as Cultural Administrator
• Joined University of Botswana as administrator till his demise
• In July 2009 became Secretary General of Botswana Democratic Party's Central Committee
• In August 2009 he took President to court and lost with cost
• Ian Khama, then President of the Botswana Democratic Party suspended him from the BDP for 5 years and withdrew his candidature for Gaborone central parliamentary seat
• 2010 BDP leaders tried to lock him in civil imprisonment and Batswana saved him by paying his debt
• March 2010-BDP faction Barata Phati met in Mogoditshane and agreed to leave the party
• 29 May 2010 BDP splinter party Botswana Movement for Democracy was officially launched
• Motswaledi became the Deputy interim Chairman of BMD and then interim Chairman
• Elected 1st President of BMD
• In 2012 Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is formed and he became its 1st Secretary General
• 2014 July 20-Serowe UDC debut congress elected him deputy president
• 30 July 2014 he died in a car accident

[5]

Burial

Gomolemo Motswaledi was buried on Friday, 8 August 2014, in his home village Serowe.

References

1. "President Khama election rival killed in car accident". Bulawayo24 News. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
2. "Gomolemo Motswaledi passes on". Botswana Daily News. Radio Botswana. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
3. "Gomolemo Motswaledi killed?". Bulawayo24. Bulabayo24. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
4. "Was Gomolemo Motswaledi killed?". Botswana Guardian. Botswana Guardian. 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
5. "Behind a successful man there is a woman". The Voice. 24 December 2010. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.