Opinions differ over Khama’s BPF participation
Chakalisa Dube - Lebogang Mosikare | Monday September 26, 2022 06:00
There is a school of thought that his departure will be a severe blow to the party while others maintain a contrary position. Before announcing that he will scale down his participation in BPF activities, there were already assumptions that his continued absence from the country continues to negatively affect the party. Khama is in a self-imposed exile in South Africa.
He left the country more than a year ago following a bitter fall out with his anointed successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi. He recently expressed his desire to reduce his participation in BPF activities and accused the party of gross transgressions towards the ideals of democracy. Since his announcement, there have been widespread doubts that the BPF will find it hard to survive without him. There is no dispute that Khama championed the formation of the party in 2019. Being a BPF patron, Khama does not have a formal responsibility, but he remains a revered figure in the party.
The BPF has often relied on the popularity of the former president to attract members to its fold. Some ordinary BPF members in areas such as the Central region owe their allegiance to Khama. There are fears that they might ditch the BPF if Khama chooses to be less active in the affairs of the party. In addition, it is inevitable that popular figures like Tshekedi Khama (Khama’s brother) and other influential BPF members might also quit or reduce their participation in BPF should the former president go slow in the affairs of the party.
This might leave the BPF battling for survival or fade into oblivion. Such fears are not far-fetched. When Khama quit the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to help form the BPF, a number of activists and other high-ranking members followed him. Those closer to the BPF have also often lauded him for creating linkages between funders and the party using his influence. His sphere of influence in terms of attracting sponsors for the BPF has never been measured but should he detach himself from BPF, the party might find itself struggling to attract backers for its activities. This will be very detrimental for its growth because the survival of every political movement mainly hinges on finances and resources. In a nutshell, the BPF’s ability to deliver on the electoral pledges will be compromised by lack of sponsorship or funds.
It is true that the success of any political party cannot be entirely pinned on one individual. However, those backing Khama’s presence in the UDC postulate that it cannot be denied that his continued presence or activism can give the BPF the bargaining strength in the UDC, especially during the negotiation for constituencies and wards. The BPF recently joined the coalition. Some of the constituencies and awards won by the BPF and UDC in the 2019 general elections were largely attributed to Khama’s influence. Khama’s departure might fuel more divisions and leave the party as a less coherent and logically connected entity. The BPF is already in turmoil. The turbulence emanates from the suspensions of influential members, amongst them president Biggie Butale. Widening divisions might throw the party into a path of extinction. But not everyone is concerned about Khama leaving or scaling down his participation in the BPF. There are those who believe that for BPF to make progress and penetrate other regions it must dissociate itself from Khama.
The party’s continued connection with Khama has led to it being branded a ‘tribalistic’ party. This is unfavourable for its progress. There is a growing perception that BPF is a party that is only well positioned in the central region. Khama is a very influential figure in the central region by virtue of his royal status.
The overall thinking is that if Khama leaves, the BPF will now be able to market itself as a party that responds to the aspirations of diverse individuals. Khama has also been accused of sowing seeds of discord in the party by attempting to neutralise those who want to challenge his preferred candidates for leadership positions. To some extent, there is an opinion that if he leaves the party will be able to attain unity.
Political analyst, Professor Zibani Maundeni who is also a University of Botswana (UB) lecturer posited that the departure of president Khama from the BPF will come with some positives for the party. Maundeni summed up Khama’s presence in the BPF as damaging. In his assessment, the position of patron compromises the presidency of the party and destabilises. “It pitted the party president against the patron. Now the BPF can become a normal political party with a powerful presidency. Khama’s scaling down his involvement in the BPF frees the party from Ngwato dominance and allows it to seek partnership from Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) or Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) or to stand alone,” Maundeni said in his assessment.
Another UB lecturer, Adam Mfundisi doubts if Khama's disengagement from actively participating in BPF politics would impact negatively on its political fortunes. Maundeni describes Khama as a de-facto leader of the BPF adding that the party draws its influence from his political pedigree to appeal to the masses. “Personally, I do not think he is leaving politics but giving himself space to concentrate on other matters. But he will always be available to the BPF through other means and assist it to broaden its appeals to the voters," noted Mfundisi.