Followers chanted slogans of all parties indiscriminately as the candidate for opposition Otsweletse Moupo was launched. Opposition leaders too seemed to have no problem switching from one slogan to another. Activities started with a well-attended motorcade, which lasted for about five hours. From a casual observation it appeared Botswana National Front (BNF) had a lot of goodwill. The motorcade was arguably the largest and rally was probably the most attended. But the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) would definitely win the posters battle hands down. Even at the BNF rally there were more BDP posters hanging on the street lights poles than the BNF ones. The BNF rally was held under a red and white marquee which seemed to be a complete oddity but the organisers seemed not to be bothered. Of course this did not dampen the spirits of the man of the day,Gilson Saleshando.
After nine years of split and sour relationships, the two political enemies, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Botswana National Front (BNF) shared the same podium and spoke the same language. Saleshando of the BCP, a man who has always told whoever cared to listen that that he abhorred the BNF, had a different story to tell. This time around Saleshando was a completely changed man. He confessed that he has not used the Kopano slogan in a long time and this waxed lyrical in the ears of the kopano faithfuls who completely drowned him in cheers.
Launching Moupo, he hailed him as a committed politician who has the interests of the public at heart. Thumping his chest he said, “I have the honour to present to you a high profile politician.”
He told the rally that Moupo would be able to articulate their interests and improve their lot adding that his legal training would put him in a good stead. Saleshando described Moupo as the light at the end of the tunnel. Talking about Botswana’s democratic credentials he lamented that the outside world seems to have a wrong picture about Botswana.
“There is a real danger that Botswana may be ruled by a repressive presidential monarch when the present ‘freelance president’ leaves the office. Should this happen they would be another Daffur disaster in Botswana.”
Saleshano said people should be apprehensive of the impending political tough times which he likened to hurricane Katrina which has left a trail of destruction on its wake.
Botswana situation would be called Hurricane Yarubi; a Seyeyi expression that means something that comes at the wrong time. He condemned the BDP for lack of transparency and accountability. He cited the report on land commission and that of Segametsi that were never made public. Not forgetting, what he called Margaret Nasha’s failure to account when Gaborone City Council lost millions to Daisy Loo. “We need people like Moupo in parliament to help change the situation. Moenyana o pele lebone lwa waabo.” He said on October 15, they should all become members of BNF.
Turning to the BDP’s acceptance of Masitara’s candidature he said this confirms that the party is politically unhygienic. Saleshando expressed shock over the sentiments of the BDP hopeful, which appeared in one of the local newspapers. Robert Masitara had indicated that he would protect women and children once in parliament. “If that is the case, then phokoje o ka gorosa dipodi ko sakeng. Le dinonyane di ka ya go leta mabele ko tshimong.” He described the whole scenario as a circus.
Saleshando said that the riches flaunted by the ruling party do not intimidate him. “People call BDP the giant, I only see it as a jackal.” He said that if BDP wins Gaborone-North West he would head straight to Okavango to nurse his pain. He said the political morality of the BDP has withered. “Their conscience is dead and the spirit of the lord has departed from them.”
Saleshando who seemed to be in his element sent the masses to dizzy heights when he announced that the launch was the beginning of good thing to come.
Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM) president, Lepetu Setshwaelo urged comrades to follow Daniel Kwelagobe’s footsteps. “If he refused to shake Masitara’s hand in public why should we vote him?”
Bernard Balikani of Botswana People’s party said Batswana would continue to be impoverished if they vote BDP. He cautioned them to stay away from the party whose candidates are trained in jail. “They apply double standards. When a mere councillor is suspected to have been involved in cattle theft there are suspended but when a rich man is alleged to have raped they are rewarded with high positions.” The bride of the day, Moupo reminded people that a philantropist would never operate in parliament. “I have read with dismay a letter in one of the newspapers when they said I talk about bread and butter when Masitara provides them. He might be providing today but how long would that happen?” he said that a single person cannot take responsibility of the state.
