BDP divisions explode at Mogae's funeral
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday May 22, 2026 11:39
Mogae was also the BDP president. For many observers, the emotional speeches delivered during Mogae’s State funeral over the weekend painted a picture of a party still trapped in bitterness, regret and unresolved internal battles. While senior members praised President Duma Boko for according Mogae a dignified State funeral, some of their remarks appeared to indirectly attack the previous leadership of the BDP, especially over how former president Sir Ketumile Masire was honoured after his passing. From the tone of the speeches and comments during the funeral proceedings, it became increasingly clear that, although the BDP leadership has publicly called for healing and counselling, many members still carry emotional scars from the party’s turbulent final years in power.
One of the people who did not hide her feelings was outspoken BDP member Tebelelo Seretse. Known for speaking her mind without fear, Seretse openly thanked Boko for honouring Mogae in a manner she believed had not been done before. “We thank you, President Boko, for honouring Rra Nametso and giving him a State funeral. We nearly died without witnessing one,” said Seretse. She further revealed that Mogae once advised her not to hate members of the opposition because they could one day also lead the country.
“Rre Mogae once told me that we should never hate opposition members as they can also rule the country,” he added. Although Seretse did not directly name anyone, political observers believe her comments carried a deeper message aimed at some within the BDP leadership who were in power when Masire died. Her remarks appeared to suggest dissatisfaction over how the former president’s funeral arrangements were handled at the time.
Similarly, BDP veteran Daniel Kwelagobe also expressed surprise at the way Boko honoured Mogae. Kwelagobe said he never expected the current government to go all out in celebrating and respecting the late former president. “Indeed, this is a State funeral. May God bless you for doing that,” Kwelagobe said emotionally. Once again, his comments were interpreted by many as an indirect criticism of the previous BDP administration. For some party members, the comparison between Mogae’s funeral and Masire’s funeral has now reopened old wounds that the party has been trying hard to close.
Consequently, what was expected to be a solemn farewell for one of Botswana’s respected statesmen slowly transformed into another reminder of the internal divisions haunting the BDP. The party, which ruled Botswana for decades before losing power, has in recent months struggled to present a united front. Senior leaders have repeatedly admitted publicly that members are hurting, angry and frustrated following the shocking election defeat.
BDP president Mpho Balopi recently admitted that the party needs healing. Speaking during the Gaborone regional congress last month, Balopi made an emotional plea for members to seek counselling, forgive one another and move forward. “It is time we go for counselling as party members and forgive each other. When we were ruling, we stepped on each other’s toes. Now it is time for us to move forward. Some are dying because of stress because we have lost elections,” Balopi said at the gathering. His comments shocked some members because they openly acknowledged the emotional and psychological impact of the election loss within the party ranks. More importantly, they also confirmed long-standing allegations that factional fights and internal mistreatment had become common inside the BDP during its final years in government. Furthermore, Balopi’s remarks highlighted the extent to which bitterness remains among members who believe they were sidelined, humiliated, or unfairly treated while the party was in power. In fact, this was not the first time the current BDP leadership attempted to apologise and seek reconciliation. Earlier this year, party leaders travelled to Serowe, where they publicly apologised to the Bangwato for the manner in which they were allegedly treated during the last five years of the BDP government. Additionally, the leadership has also reached out to several party members believed to have been wronged during internal battles and factional wars. However, despite those efforts, the divisions continue to surface publicly. The latest comments made during Mogae’s funeral now raise serious questions about whether true reconciliation inside the BDP is possible anytime soon. Meanwhile, social media has also become another battleground where members continue to exchange messages loaded with hidden meanings and political undertones. Shortly after the funeral, BDP secretary general Kentse Rammidi took to Facebook with a message many interpreted as a call for members to stop reopening old wounds. “Madomkrag, I think it’s time we let sleeping dogs lie; siileng saabo siile, lesilo ke moselatelefi,” wrote Rammidi. The statement, though brief, quickly attracted attention among party supporters and political commentators. Some interpreted it as a plea for peace and maturity within the party, while others argued that unresolved issues cannot simply be buried without honest conversations and accountability.
At the centre of the BDP’s struggles is the painful reality of adjusting to life outside government after decades in power. For many members, accepting political defeat has not been easy. Some continue to blame each other for the loss, while others believe certain leaders betrayed the party or ignored warning signs before elections. As a result, mistrust and resentment remain deeply rooted within sections of the party. Political analysts argue that unless the BDP fully confronts its internal problems, public calls for unity may remain meaningless. They say healing cannot happen through speeches alone, but through genuine dialogue, accountability and rebuilding trust among members.
Moreover, the public nature of these divisions is increasingly becoming a concern for the opposition and ordinary Batswana alike. While some sympathise with the party’s struggles, others believe the BDP is now exposing weaknesses that were hidden during its years in power. Still, despite the tensions, some party loyalists remain hopeful that the BDP can eventually recover and rebuild itself into a strong opposition movement. They argue that the party still has experienced leaders, structures and supporters across the country. However, the scenes witnessed during Mogae’s funeral suggest that the road to reconciliation may still be long and painful.