Kapinga breaks silence
Chakalisa Dube | Monday September 12, 2022 06:00
Kapinga was expelled along other four BCP MPs. The MPs were expelled after they openly sided with the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader Duma Boko who has fallen out with the BCP leader Dumelang Saleshando.
The BCP is part of the UDC together with the Botswana People’s Party and Botswana National Front (BNF). This week, the BCP issued a statement indicating that Kapinga has since applied for readmission into the party and his application is being considered.
The tone of the party statement was clear that Kapinga will ultimately be readmitted into the party with ease. In an interview, Kapinga said he did not succumb to any form of pressure to initiate the process of returning to the BCP.
This is amid reports that Okavango residents have not been very receptive towards him since he left the party and vowed not to accept his candidacy at the 2024 General Elections if he does not retrace his footsteps to the BCP. “I was not pressured.
I decided to re-apply for readmission because of the motivation and encouragement of the people of Okavango who still believe that I have much to offer to the constituency while I am at BCP," said the legislator who awaits reuniting with the BCP diehards should he be readmitted. The former diplomat also responded to suggestions that winning the constituency under the UDC at the 2024 General Elections would have been a tough task or his political future outside the BCP was precarious. “I can still lead a meaningful life outside politics.
I am into politics because there are people who believe that I can serve them and I also believe that I have something to offer," said Kapinga. The BCP is expected to ditch the UDC in favour of a working arrangement with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) at the 2024 General Elections. The BCP enjoys massive following in the constituency. Kapinga pointed out that a meeting with BCP president Dumelang Saleshando also played a leading role in his decision to apply for readmission. “We had a very lengthy discussion.
I reflected on our conversation before deciding to apply for readmission," added Kapinga. In a Facebook post, Saleshando also confirmed meeting Kapinga and appeared very keen to welcome the Okavango legislator back into the party. It was in November of 2016 that the BCP welcomed Kenny Kapinga as an active member. He was warmly received and went on to serve as a member of the central committee and the BCP nominee for the Okavango constituency. “As with any relationship, we went through turbulence and misunderstandings leading to a separation.
Though hurt by the parting of ways, we stated loud and clear that a mending of ways will be most welcome, and I am happy that he has taken the first step to re-join the BCP. I look forward to joining BCP members in Okavango to welcome him back soon, subject to completion of the readmission processes,” Saleshando said in his Facebook post.
Kapinga is said to have strongly apologised to the BCP in his application letter but refused to shed light on the exact details of his letter. “The details of my letter seeking readmission into the party are confidential but I did express my regret for the anguish I caused my constituents and the embarrassment that I caused the party over everything that has happened,” he explained.
It remains unclear if other expelled BCP legislators want to return to the party. They have appeared defiant since their expulsion while Kapinga has been relatively silent. In fact, Kapinga’s absence at a press conference organised by other expelled BCP MPs a few weeks ago fuelled speculation that he was plotting a return to the BCP.
His colleagues defended his absence saying that he had engagements. The BCP has maintained that the door is open for the expelled MPs to return to the party.