Masisi: The Jonah in the BDP storm

When President Ian Khama named Mokgweetsi Masisi as his Vice President above his more accomplished and experienced competitors in both the country and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), apparatchiks were stunned.  

On November 12, 2014, Khama submitted his nominee to Parliament to afford it an opportunity to endorse or reject Masisi. Of the 57 member-strong Parliament, 38 legislators from the ruling party endorsed Khama’s choice of Vice President while 19 members from the opposition abstained. Only a single vote was spoilt.  Clearly this was an emphatic victory for Masisi.