Masisi’s late coming irks MaDomi
Members of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) have expressed displeasure towards President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s late-coming pattern at events. While his predecessor, Ian Khama, was hardly late at events, Masisi has shown a record of keeping people waiting for his arrival and arriving later than scheduled. Party members are concerned with the tendency.
The party’s spokesperson, Kagelelo Kentse however said the blame is not on the President but on the party’s office bearers and members. Masisi, who was scheduled to arrive at the Tsabong Unified School at 7:25am for the official opening of the party’s elective congress over the weekend, arrived at the venue at 9am, almost a couple of hours late.
Just recently in Bobonong where the party held congress for the Youth Wing, Masisi was at least two hours late, keeping members waiting on his arrival. Various party members complained that the President’s delayed arrival could hurt the party and its processes. “We have observed this trend for a very long time now and it does not sit well with us.
Right now we have fraternal visitors who waited since early morning. It does not reflect well on us and we hope those closest to him will address that as it could cost us in the long run,” a party member said. “During Khama’s time, doors would even be closed to keep out latecomers.
This worked wonders as all those involved would pull up their socks. It becomes dangerous when members now think it is okay to drag their feet and come last minute because they know their principal would not arrive on time.
He should be exemplary and crack the whip if there is anyone else responsible for his being late,” another source who preferred anonymity said. Contacted for comment, Kentse said the problem lies with their office and not the President.
“I can only comment on BDP engagements. The President is always ready to arrive on time, but then he would be delayed by our logistics and also party members coming late when he is supposed to find them seated. For example, with this congress, there was a lot to do without enough resources.
There was also the issue of registration of delegates that took long and we couldn’t proceed before finishing that,” he said. Kentse said going forward they will do more to ensure that members do things on time to avoid soiling the President’s reputation.