Bangwato split: BDP apology sparks political firestorm
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday August 27, 2025 16:46
What was billed as a tribal gathering at Serowe College of Education quickly revealed its political undercurrents. From the moment BDP president Mpho Balopi and party veteran Daniel Kwelagobe took the stage, the air was tense. When the floor opened for comments, all pretence of calm dissolved. Both Kwelagobe and Balopi apologised for the ill-treatment of the Khama family and for the tribe having been denied to use of their kgotla. The hall split in two: those pleading for forgiveness and those who wanted none of it. Whilst the organisers tried to keep the event 'tribal', it was clear to anyone from Serowe that many of the so-called malwela kgosi, protectors of the chief, were not just loyal to Khama, but aligned to opposition politics. Even the format reeked of strategy. Those calling for forgiveness were rushed. Those against it were given all the room to land blow after blow on the BDP.
Wame Rapitsenyane was the first to spit fire. “In Gammangwato, you don’t just ask for forgiveness empty-handed,” she snapped. “ I was at President Masisi’s first kgotla – I saw guns for the first time. You say you are sorry, but where is the one who caused the pain? Where is the swift justice?” The crowd stirred, some clapping, others nodding in agreement. Another speaker, Linah Kgaswane, took it further by saying, “You were there when Ian Khama was humiliated. He was accused of corruption and had to go to South Africa. Our parents spent nights in cells. You watched and stayed in the BDP. And now you say you are sorry? We don’t accept that apology. Not now. Not ever.” She pointed out that the BDP only came to apologise now because they were out of power. David Ikanyeng said, “If you are serious, then call out every single one who wronged us, even the late Kgotla Autlwetse, to come and apologise. Balopi, you should have resigned. You disappointed us. Who really sent you?”
For his part, Serowe North constituency Member of Parliament, Baratiwa Mathoothe, called the apology a “political trick”. “This isn’t about healing. It’s about votes,” he said, to loud applause. Serowe West MP Onalepelo Kedikilwe backed him fully. However, not everyone wanted blood. Kewagamang Medupe stepped up, calling for forgiveness. “People make mistakes. The BDP has learned the hard way. Let’s forgive.” Orapeleng Kenewang tried to echo him, but barely got through his first sentence before being cut off by the crowd. They shouted him down with one brutal line: “Re a itse o mo BDP fologa!”
When responding to comments, Bangwato chief Khama said, “Of course it is not Balopi who wanted to poison me or take my family to jail, but I accepted their request because it's humanity in our culture (ke setho). I am also his chief, and I have worked well with him. Kwelagobe has worked with my father, and I take him like my uncle. Balopi and Karabo Gare checked on me even when I was in South Africa. Le seka la ba latlha. Mme ke tla buisana le morafe ka apology.”