BDP plots Serowe political comeback

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 11, 2025 12:13

As part of this political reset, the party intends to issue a formal apology to Bangwato and their traditional leaders, hoping to mend fractured relations and rebuild trust in a region that once formed the bedrock of its dominance. The ruling party has been hard at work across the country, determined not to leave any stone unturned.

In recent weeks, its central committee (CC) has been traversing all 14 regions of Botswana in a campaign to reconnect with the grassroots and restore the BDP’s influence in areas where it has weakened.

The visits are part of a wider political strategy to solidify the party’s base and remind members of its founding principles, while also addressing past mistakes that have caused internal division and public dissatisfaction. This past week, the central committee held one such meeting in the Chobe region, gathering in Kasane, where it engaged with party members, discussed revitalisation plans, and addressed local concerns. In a gesture that merged political outreach with humanitarian goodwill, the BDP leadership distributed food hampers to underprivileged members, a move that was well received and interpreted by some as a sign of a softer, more people-focused approach.

While the national tour is significant, it is Serowe that remains central to the BDP’s ambitions. The party recognises that Central District, home to several constituencies, carries considerable electoral weight. But it is also here that the wounds of political fallout run deepest. For decades, Serowe was a BDP stronghold, the birthplace of the party’s founding father, Sir Seretse Khama, and home to his descendants, including former president Ian Khama. However, that history was shaken to its core when Khama and his successor, former president Mokgweetsi Masisi, fell out in a public and dramatic fashion. The dispute saw Khama, the area’s traditional chief and long-time BDP member, sever ties with the party and throw his support behind the newly formed Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), taking with him several family members and loyalists. For the first time since independence, the BDP lost all three Serowe constituencies in the 2019 General Election, a stunning reversal that sent shockwaves through the political establishment. The fallout continued into 2024, when the BDP suffered one of its worst national performances, losing key battlegrounds and further denting its image. Many trace the political collapse to Khama’s unrelenting vow to “de-campaign” the BDP, accusing the party of betrayal and injustice.

His influence over the Bangwato, deeply rooted in history and tradition, proved decisive. Many of his supporters followed suit, abandoning the BDP en masse and aligning with the BPF. As a result, the Central District, once a pillar of BDP strength, turned into a political battlefield that the then-ruling party could no longer control.

Now, in a significant shift of tone and strategy, the BDP wants to set things right. Party president Mpho Balopi has announced plans to visit Serowe and personally apologise to the Bangwato and their chiefs for how the party handled internal matters and for the perceived mistreatment of Khama and his followers. Though the full details of the planned apology have not yet been made public, Balopi confirmed that the visit is imminent and that reconciliation is at the heart of the effort. Whether Bangwato will accept the apology remains uncertain. The political climate in Serowe remains sensitive, with many residents still loyal to Khama and skeptical of the BDP’s intentions.

Nonetheless, Balopi seems determined to take the risk. He has publicly acknowledged his long-standing relationship with the Khama family, a connection he once confirmed during a press conference. That personal history may serve as an opening for dialogue where others might meet resistance. Balopi is not working alone. The BDP’s renewed strategy is guided by several key figures with strong political acumen, including Kentse Rammidi and Karabo Gare.

Together, they are crafting a campaign that blends humility, introspection, and political foresight. There is a growing recognition within the party that regaining the public’s trust requires more than campaign slogans, it demands genuine engagement, listening, and accountability.

For the BDP, returning to Serowe is more than just a political errand; it is a symbolic journey back to its roots. Winning back the Central District would not only improve the party’s electoral odds in 2029, but also mark a powerful reconciliation with a community that once embodied the BDP’s very identity. Failure to do so could cement the opposition’s grip on the region and further widen the political divide that has been growing since 2018.

Observers say the move to apologise is both a political gamble and a sign of maturity, a rare step in a political landscape where apologies are seldom offered.

If the gesture is embraced by the Bangwato, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter for both the BDP and the region. If rejected, it may expose just how deep the wounds still run and how difficult it will be to regain what was lost. In an interview with party president Balopi, he told Mmegi: “ we are not apologetic about the issue. We will apologise to Batswana and Serowe residents together with bogosi of that area. The region will give us a date and it will be this month.”

He said the reason why they lost elections is because people were angry with the party and how it has been treating them.