Dumelang Saleshando

Dumelang Saleshando (born 13 September 1971) is a Motswana politician and economist who has served as the Leader of the Botswana Congress Party since 2010. Saleshando is the current Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Botswana since 11 November 2024. He also serves as MP for Maun North since 2024.

Dumelang Saleshando
Leader of the Opposition
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 November 2024
Preceded by	Dithapelo Keorapetse
In office 5 November 2019 – 12 July 2022
Preceded by	Duma Boko
Succeeded by	Dithapelo Keorapetse
In office 12 July 2012 – 29 August 2014
Preceded by	Botsalo Ntuane
Succeeded by	Duma Boko
Leader of the Botswana Congress Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 July 2010
Preceded by	Gilson Saleshando
Member of Parliament for Maun North
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 November 2024
Preceded by	Constituency established
Majority	5,707 (43.7%)
Member of Parliament for Maun West
In office 5 November 2019 – 5 September 2024
Preceded by	Tawana Moremi
Succeeded by	Caterpillar Hikuama
Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central
In office November 2004 – 7 August 2014
Preceded by	Margaret Nasha
Succeeded by	Phenyo Butale
Personal details
Born	(1971-09-13) 13 September 1971 (age 53) Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana
Political party	Botswana Congress Party
Spouse	Dineo Saleshando

Early life and education

Saleshando was born on 13 September 1971, is the firstborn of five sons to Gilson Saleshando, a politician, and Keatlaretse Dolly Saleshando, a nurse.^[1] He attended numerous schools growing up in Kanye, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe^[1] and was brought up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He completed his schooling at St Joseph's College, where he became a member of the Botswana Socialist Youth,^[1] before enrolling in a degree in economics and political science at the University of Botswana in 1992.^[2]

Career

After university, Saleshando joined First National Bank Botswana as a trainee manager but he was summarily dismissed for leaking information about the finances of the ruling party.^[1] In 2003, Saleshando started campaigning for Gaborone Central parliamentary seat in the capital Gaborone. The seat was previously held by Michael Dingake, the former leader of Botswana Congress Party. Saleshando was elected to parliament as the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central after defeating incumbent Hon Dr Margaret Nasha in 2004.^[1] He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament for the same constituency in the 2009 general elections and was elected party president unopposed in July 2010, after his father, Gilson Saleshando stepped down as party leader.^[3]

Prior to taking up the BCP leadership role, he served in the party Central Committee as Information and Publicity Secretary. His father was initially opposed to the idea of being succeeded by his son, noting that it was not proper since many people will believe that the party was run by a dynasty.^[3] He gave up when many people in the party endorsed the young Saleshando for the position.^[4] He lost the elections in the 2014 general elections to Phenyo Butale of the coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change under the Botswana Movement for Democracy.^[5]

Personal life

Saleshando married Dineo in 2002 and they have two sons and a daughter. His son Seabo Saleshando plays tennis and ranked as one of Botswanas top players.^[2][1]