On Duma FM Monday last week, not a single commentator on the announcement that Otsweletse Moupo would not contest the presidency of the Botswana National Front regretted his leaving. On the contrary, most, if not all, welcomed it. The facilitator pointed out that it was under Moupo's watch that the BNF lost every Gaborone constituency since 20 years ago. He was generous. It is in fact 25 years since the BNF started to hold seats in Gaborone. The facilitators went on to put the race down to two contestants, Duma Boko and Moupo's deputy, Olebile Gaborone.
The key question is the one that was asked by one BNF councillor from the Central District: "Should we form a new political party, or should we elect a new leadership?" But before this question arises, it should first be asked: "Is the BNF still relevant?" It would perhaps be trivialising the debate to begin by asking: "Was the BNF ever relevant?" The debate will not lose its substance should it simply be accepted that history bares testimony to the fact that there is indeed a sizeable portion of the electorate for whom the BNF held some relevance.
