Masisi to talk peace, unity in Tsabong
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Saturday August 27, 2022 12:08
University of Botswana (UB) political analyst Keaoleboga Dipogiso says there is a need for Masisi to make a reflection on the party's 2019 General Elections manifesto. “It is important for him to update the members on the progress they have made on issues of unemployment, diversification of the economy and the resentment of some within the BDP, especially regarding internal issues.
He must tell the members what his central committee is intending to do in order to unify the party. Even if opposition parties are not organised to win the 2024 General Elections, the BDP has to be united also for them to win elections. They need each other in the coming election,” Dipogiso said in an interview this week.
The political analyst also said the BDP needs to build itself going to the 2024 polls. He said Masisi must also inform the party members on how the party is going to deal with the issue of membership retention for it to avoid its members defecting to opposition parties. Another issue that Dipogiso said is important for the president to address is what his party should do to appeal to the new members Dipogiso also explained that it is important for the BDP, especially the president to give a road map of what the party is planning to do on retaining the Central District area, which used to be their stronghold.
He added: “They used to be very strong in the Central District and therefore, it must be clear on how it will win back the area. Revival of party structures in that area is important. If it does not have a plan, then it will not win those areas back. Mind you, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) won those areas in the 2019 General Elections. The opposition parties have never won those areas before since the country attained its independence.” He said the BDP needs to retain its hegemony in the Central District area. For their part, the BDP spokesperson Kagelelo Kentse said the president is likely to preach unity amongst democrats and encourage them to work together to strengthen the BDP. "I believe he will also talk about consolidation as we prepare for the 2024 General Elections.
Those elections will be very important for the BDP. We also have primary elections coming so he might touch on that,” said Kentse. Recently at BDP national council, Masisi said: “We must be disciplined in our talk, what we write and exchange, and the impression created. It goes without saying that sustaining the stability and survival of the BDP depends on its capacity as a political organisation to work as a unified entity. By no means does this preclude diversity of thought as the BDP is not a monolithic party. Rather, this our great organisation, should nurture critical engagements but not at the expense of unity.” He further said disunity should not have any stake in the party. In addition, he said the true genius of the BDP is its stability to maximise collective unity in the face of serrated, and at times, unforgiving political terrain.