ON UDC’S SEPTEMBER 26 ULTIMATUM TO BCP

It is now a few days to September 26, the date reportedly set by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) President Duma Boko for the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Members of Parliament and Councilors to have decided if they are with the UDC for the 2024 general elections. Failure to declare, he said, would result in the political officers being deemed to have resigned from the UDC. Here are what people have been saying about the altimatum:

IT IS A TURNING POINT

If indeed the purported communication of the 26 September is official, then it’s going to be a turning point of the story. It will go a long way to show who is who. For many councillors it could be a defining moment of where they stand. It’s going to be a personal experience. For us the voters we will see where our leaders stand. It’s going to be personal experience because each candidate will be seen in the light of the decision they make. Going forward we will know those who are still with the UDC or BCP, even when we know that they won using UDC symbol. Those who opt for BCP or UDC they’d be at pains or ease to explain their stance. This could determine the campaign dynamics totally. I must admit I didn’t see this coming. In chess it’s called ‘CHECK’(sic)

[PRESTO SEBELE]

ANNUAL LIME GREEN DAY DECLARED

I do hereby declare 26 September a #LimeGreenDay. Every year, starting on September 26, 2022 we (Botswana Congress

Party) shall celebrate this day, as the day of Liberation, a day of Freedom

(Tsatsi la Kgololesego). Kgololesego from all forms of oppression(s), bullying(s) intimidation(s) and harassment(s). On this day, we shall remember and reflect on our foundational principles (why we were established, our raison d’etre). And relentlessly pursue this purpose! On this day, every year, we shall boldly wear our beautiful colour (LimeGreen) - fa o le modirelapuso kana o boifa tomokoraga ka tsela epe fela, a #LimeGreen undergarment, petticoat, brooch, lapel, a tie or something! By all means, stand tall and remember that [O

Molwela Kgololesego ya Sechaba], and this fight starts with #SelfEmancipation! Tota, if we fail to free ourselves from those who seek to proudly intimidate and oppress us, how can we free Batswana from the BDP misrule? Google tells us that “lime green is a color closely associated with nature, confidence, and high energy and is thought to promote feelings of liveliness, freshness, and creativity. Do not let your enemies define you balwela-kgololesego [CDE MMANNANA MPHO]

DON’T LISTEN TO THE NOISE

The UDC has a responsibility to bring about sanity within its ranks. The BCP has continued with its unprecedented behaviour of a conditional membership of the UDC. Holding on to positions acquired through the collective might of the coalition i.e parliament and council yet demonizing the UDC and virtually denouncing it and their membership thereof outside parliament and councils. The pronouncement of the UDC president as it relates to UDC office bearers particularly those that hold BCP membership is an attempt by the UDC NEC to bring certainty and stability within the UDC ranks. We have seen this strategy though the execution was different, work very well when Dumelang Saleshando was removed as Leader of Opposition in parliament. It allowed the UDC parliamentary caucus to be led by a sound and sober cadre of the UDC who defends and pronounces the UDC at all material times in Cde Dithapelo Keorapetse. It is the same sanity we pursue in asking UDC office bearers to swear their allegiance to the coalition in writing before the 26th of this month. We encourage them to do just that and not to listen to directionless noise.

[TUMELO LEGASE (BNFYL)]

UDC IS A PONZI SCHEME

We know Boko’s frustrations stem from the fact that he was rejected by voters in 2019 and his masters are becoming impatient, slowly losing their hope to capture Botswana through the gangster president. Batswana are also fast realizing that he has turned the UDC into a Ponzi scheme, his personal vehicle for self-enrichment. It is dawning on the conman that his political career has come to an end; his sights are now on swindling whatever loot he can from unsuspecting donors in his last greatest proverbial “Mahalapye Job.” Unfortunately, he’s wasting time but we will not allow him to delay the authentic change that Batswana are so longing for. He will not derail BCP focus and efforts on working with like-minded stakeholders to usher in a new, better Botswana. [AKIM KEOKGALE (BCPYL)]

IT IS A VERY GOOD DECISION

I support the decision taken by UDC NEC it’s long over due. Remove ba ba nang le di hidden agendas ka gore ba batla go phuaganya UDC ka last minute very good decision.

[MOTHUSI APRIL]

WERE PEOPLE CONSULTED FIRST?

So since this is the people’s project, how many people have been consulted prior to making that decision? Lesang go iphora, UDC is Boko’s project not the people’s - otherwise a dipalo di itshupe [MOSETSANA PHILLIP]

BCP DOING HIDE AND SEEK

Kante mathata a BCP ke eng, if they feel gore their democratic rights are under siege, the easy thing is to walk out. Time is running out for UDC, they need to prepare for 2024. This hide and seek by BCP must come to an end by 26 September. [ARNOLD MOSHABI]