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The current Leader of the Opposition
Hon. Dithapelo L. Keorapetse, MP
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There shall be a Leader of the Opposition, who shall be the official spokesperson of the majority opposition party in the House.
By virtue of his or her office, the Leader of the Opposition shall be a Member of the following Parliamentary Committees:-
1) Committee of Selection
2) Business Advisory Committees
The Leader of Opposition shall also serve as:
- 2nd Vice President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Botswana Branch)
- The Executive Member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum.
- An executive Member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Committee in Botswana.
The Leader of Opposition shall:
- Be the principal spokesperson for the majority opposition party in the Assembly or where there is a coalition he or she shall be the spokesperson for the coalition.
- Have the right to make official statements in the Assembly on important national and international issues on behalf of the majority opposition.
- Enjoy the same status as the Leader of the House in relation to the business of the House.
- Be allotted longer speaking times than ordinary Members during debates on the State of the Nation Address, Budget Speech or any other major Government Policy Statement.
- Be the first to respond to State of the Nation Address, Budget speech or any other major Government Policy statement and shall be allowed to read his or her speech if he or she so desires.
The Leader of Opposition shall, in the event of his or her absence, illness or other nonavailability, designate an opposition Member to act in his or her position and such designation shall be notified to the Speaker in writing.
Former Leaders of the Opposition:
- Hon. Philip Matante, MP - 1965 - 1974
- Hon. Bathoen Gaseitsiwe, MP - 1979 - 1984
- Hon. Kenneth S. Koma, MP - 1985 - 2003
- Hon. Nehemiah Modubule, MP -2003 - 2009
- Hon. Olebile Gaborone, MP - 2009 - 2010
- Hon. Botsalo Ntuane, MP - 2010 - 2012
- Hon. Dumelang Saleshando, MP - 2012 - 2014
- Hon. Duma G. Boko, MP - 2014 - 2019
- Hon. Dumelang Saleshando, MP - 2019 to 2022
- Hon. Dithapelo L. Keorapetse, MP - 2022 to date
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