A must-win for BDP
As the curtain falls on the campaigns for Bophirima ward ahead of tomorrow’s showdown, all eyes will be on the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to lift the prize at a time the opposition is limping in what is akin to an own goal, writes Mmegi Staffe
Odds are already stacked against the warring opposition whose campaigns are characterised by attacks on each other rather than selling their stories to the expectant masses at the political rallies.
For the longest time, the opposition campaigns mainly between the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Botswana National Front (BNF) still trading under the coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) are purely at loggerheads with each other.
Bophirima ward by-election has birthed new alliances as the Alliance for Progressives led by Ndaba Gaolathe and the Dumelang Saleshando-led BCP merging colours - the BCP’s lime and AP’s purple.
Although there is no official explanation for this alliance, all indications are that the newfound political love is bound to blossom at the expense of the already ‘on the rocks’ UDC marriage.
To make matters worse, the BCP has no kind words for the Duma Boko-led BNF, which it accuses of blurring the line that separates where the UDC begins and the BNF ends. They accuse the BNF of unilateralism and usurping UDC powers. At a time when the UDC marriage was touted to be at its best, things are falling apart at an accelerated speed.
The BNF on the other side also seems to be doing well with its newfound partner, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).
The two parties (BCP and BNF) have lost time in their endeavours to explain themselves to the masses. The BCP has been explaining why it has pulled out of the UDC whilst the BNF has been selling its hard-to-sell story as to why it is stuck with the beleaguered UDC.
It has rather been a vicious circle whilst time is not on their side to effectively win the hearts and minds of voters in the Bophirima ward in the Gaborone Bonnington South constituency.
The journey has been rough and tough for the opposition. Whilst the opposition parties’ entities have the wherewithal to win the by-election, they seem to lack effective strategies to nail their plans.
Incessantly shouting at each other has shifted the attention of the voter away from the opposition. The opposition’s glaring blunders have elevated the ruling BDP to become a ‘better devil’ when they stood a better chance to win the ward, especially if united.
Fragmented as the opposition is, it will take a miracle for them to rise to the occasion. For the first time, the BDP has been presenting a picture of unity and focus in their campaigns. In recent times, the ruling party has been hit by internal instability until President Mokgweetsi Masisi cracked the whip within the party structures.
He has also enhanced communication by appointing a good number of cadres to the communications sub-committees. Since the 2019 general election, the BDP has lost nine ward by-elections out of a possible 12. This has also left the party thinking hard.
Party spokesperson Kagelelo Kentse indicated in a recent interview that the BDP leadership was concerned about its losing record, as it was a sign people were not happy with the party’s delivery. Kentse had said his party took the losses seriously as according to him, it is the case of voters giving them some signal to seriously introspect and get to the bottom of matters.
“It seems the voters who trusted us with their votes previously need motivation of some sort now to continue with us,” Kentse had bemoaned. He had also blamed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that are hitting hard on the masses who are already grappling with unemployment and other societal ills, and as a party in government, they have no escape and are, therefore, punished.
Moeti Mohwasa, UDC head of communications said this week that his party was hopeful of victory despite what it is going through. “The UDC hasn’t veered off from the promises it made to the masses. They know what we stand for,” Mohwasa told Mmegi this week.
One of the UDC partners, the BCP will be standing against its coalition partners. Mohwasa is adamant that the UDC project remains focused on emancipating the people from the BDP misrule. He is positive that after all the hard work, the party candidate, Mankie Sekete is the winner. As for the BCP, the party spokesperson Mpho Pheko is highly expectant in terms of the election outcome.
“Bophirima ward people have spoken with a loud voice that they need Peter Mogapi to represent them as he is one of their own from various village structures,” emphasised Pheko optimistically.
She said Mogapi has served in the Village Development Committee and other area structures, which makes him the man of the people more so that “he is loving, responsible and respected for his commitment to the people.” The BCP is positive that from the houseto-house engagements with the people, they are well received and promised the votes.
“As for the BDP, people are disillusioned with it, as we are just expecting and awaiting the hard-earned victory to come our way,” declared Pheko. BDP spokesperson, Kentse acknowledges that the Bophirima ward by-election is quite a difficult one, but the ruling party is doing everything possible to retain it.
“Remember, we are defending and we are forced to be on the offensive and as a party, we are pushed to win this one after recently losing nine out of 12 by-elections,” he said.
Kentse was positive that after all their efforts and the split of opposition parties, they have a reason to win the weekend polls. “Who would say they would not win it?
On our side, we have done our assignment and we are going to win it,” he declared, full of optimism as well. Therefore, the party believes their candidate, Onkemetse Mothei will be the winner.