BDP pursues Masisi-Khama reconciliation
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday March 4, 2026 06:00
Addressing the issue, BDP president Mpho Balopi stressed that meaningful unity within the party cannot be achieved without the involvement of all its former leaders.
He said this at the party's retreat that was held at Majestic Hotel on Saturday.
The gathering was held under the theme 'Re-Construction After the Storm: Empowering Structures to Revive the Spirit of Self-Reliance and Unity of Purpose', a reminder that members have a role to play.
“We need bricks for this reconstruction exercise that we are beginning. We need the bricks of honesty, love, kindness, forgiveness, and selflessness. We need the bricks to build, not bricks to throw at one another,' Balopi said.
'I can assure you that, in this reconstruction exercise, I, for one, have no intention of throwing a brick at any party member with the intention of harming them. I urge you to use your bricks to strengthen BDP and restore its formidable strength,” he added.
Therefore, he stated that restoring peace between Masisi and Khama is amongst the pressing matters currently before the party leadership.
“One of the things before us is to make peace between our former president(s) Ian Khama and Mokgweetsi Masisi,” Balopi said, underscoring the importance of reconciliation to the party’s broader unity agenda.
Meanwhile, speaking in an interview after the party’s retreat on Sunday, BDP executive secretary Ame Makoba confirmed that the matter will be formally referred to the party’s Council of Elders for consideration.
According to Makoba, the party is determined to see the process through.
“This matter will be referred to the Council of Elders to deal with. The party is determined on that,” he added.
Furthermore, Makoba emphasised the party’s respect for its former leaders, noting that their contributions form part of the BDP’s history and legacy. He said the party needs all its elders to move forward and strengthen internal cohesion.
“We need all our elders to move forward. We respect them and have to honour them. We cannot change history,” he said. Although reconciliation efforts in the past have not produced the desired outcome, party officials insist they will not abandon the initiative.
Instead, they view the renewed push, guided by the Council of Elders, as a structured and deliberate step toward resolving long-standing divisions.
“Yes, it is not our first time, but we will not give up on it,” Makoba added, expressing hope that the Council of Elders will soon act on the matter.
Ultimately, the leadership maintains that restoring harmony among past and present leaders is essential for the party’s stability and future direction.
Former president Masisi said, 'Ke tla ba emelela gore ke ba utlwe sentle.' Former president Khama said: 'I have not been informed about this formally so I would wish not to comment for now.'