When launching a by-election candidate for Mabutsane Ward in Ngwaketse West constituency over the weekend, members of the BDP accused opposition parties of peddling tribalism while pretending to fight it.

Cabinet minister and MP for Serowe South, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi called on Mabutsane residents to vote for BDP, as it is the only party that has always strived to improve lives of all Batswana. She said at no point has any ethnic group been deprived of development because it is not one of the eight main tribes. She told residents that the BDP has excelled in so many ways and is one of the few parties whose government truly upholds the principles of democracy. “We hold elections every five years and there is no time that we will say ballot papers are not ready. Le ha re tshogile gore re a go jewa ditlhopo di a tshwarwa,” she said rhetorically. She cited equal access to education, availability of water and the fact that all Batswana have rights over minerals as one of the success stories of Botswana. “We use mineral proceeds to develop all Batswana equally,” she said. Venson-Moitoi reiterated that Batswana are given equal employment opportunities despite their political affiliations.

However, she decried sabotage from those who affiliate to opposition parties. “Re ntse re re hirile Batswana ka rona kante re oletse diphepheng ka dipata,” she said referring to civil servants linked to the opposition. She cited the education system. She said that for a long time, she was wondering what was wrong with the country’s education until (Ketla) Masogo (former Education PS) retired and joined Botswana National Front (BNF). She said opposition parties should never rule Botswana. “Nteteleng ke bua tshele bagaetsho, especially that my president has been insulted by these people,” she said. She warned residents to be cautious when dealing with BNF. She said it is a disgraced party that has a tendency of addressing its internal matters in public. She said in 1998, BNF gave birth in full view of every one, when 11 MPs formed the Botswana Congress Party. “As if that was not enough, in 2004, the same party gave birth to another child, this time around the baby had teeth, re tlhokile mosidi re ka no re mo gotlhile meno (referring to the NDF),” she said. Though opposition parties always speak strongly against tribalism, Venson-Moitoi said they are the most tribalist bunch. “Koo teng ga ba rate batho ba ditharapa (a ward in Serowe), ba kobile Koma le Otsweletse kgaitsadiake,” she said to deafening sounds of Tsholetsa Domkrag by BDP members who seemed to be in agreement with her. She alleged that BNF members have raised worries that the party leadership seems to be coming from the north and that is why they sacked Otsweletse Moupo and Kenneth Koma.

A member of BDP central committee, Maxwell Motowane, called on the residents to ignore the opposition parties, as they only exist to disturb implementation of government projects. He said that the ruling party has relieved Botswana of the economic hardships of the early years of independence. He said the people of Mabutsane are a true testimony of BDP’s hard work because they no longer travel long distances to access water, health and educational facilities. Motowane challenged those who continue to claim that Bakgalagadi are undermined when they enjoy the same benefits as other Batswana. “You should not listen to people who tell you not to celebrate independence when you witness all these developments around you,” he said. He asserted that unemployment is a worldwide problem. “Have you ever had of a country that has employed everybody,” he asked. He said the residents should not be fooled by cheap talk from opposition. He ridiculed a BNF candidate for the area who happens to be the nephew of the BDP candidate Fairbrigde Pule. “Motlogolo wa mongwe go ne ha dumalane pele ga motes o tlhabololwa o tshwanetse go nna le paramount chief, mme dithabololo ke tse mo Mabutsane,” he said. Motowane is not surprised that opposition parties have no reason to celebrate independence, as they have never participated in building the economy of the country. “Instead of helping to build the country, they opposed everything that we did,” he said. He cast aspersion on management capabilities of the opposition parties. He wondered that if the opposition cannot agree to work together, then how will they meet the needs of orphans, farmers and patients. When he rose to speak, Pule promised to consult residents in everything that he does. The Mabutsane by-election will be held on October 21. The seat fell vacant after the death of BNF councillor Elvis Hans.