11 Facts About Dumelang Saleshando

Dumelang Saleshando was born on 13 September 1971 and is a Motswana politician and economist who has served as the Leader of the Botswana Congress Party since 2010.

Dumelang Saleshando serves as MP for Maun North since 2024.

Dumelang Saleshando attended numerous schools growing up in Kanye, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe and was brought up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dumelang Saleshando completed his schooling at St Joseph's College, where he became a member of the Botswana Socialist Youth, before enrolling in a degree in economics and political science at the University of Botswana in 1992.

In 2003, Dumelang Saleshando started campaigning for Gaborone Central parliamentary seat in the capital Gaborone.

Dumelang Saleshando was elected to parliament as the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central after defeating incumbent Hon Dr Margaret Nasha in 2004.

Dumelang Saleshando 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.

Dumelang Saleshando's 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.

Dumelang Saleshando gave up when many people in the party endorsed the young Saleshando for the position.

Dumelang Saleshando lost the elections in the 2014 general elections to Phenyo Butale of the coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change under the Botswana Movement for Democracy.

Dumelang Saleshando married Dineo in 2002 and they have two sons and a daughter.