Matsitama councillor dumps BDP for BNF
Pini Bothoko | Monday September 14, 2026 08:19
The latest to cut ties with the party is former Matsitama ward Councillor, Moipidi Molobeng. He resigned from the BDP with immediate effect and subsequently joined the Botswana National Front (BNF), which is a coalition partner in the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Molobeng, who represented Matsitama ward for two consecutive terms, first won the council seat during the 2014 General Election and retained it in 2019. However, his political fortunes changed in the 2024 elections when he lost the ward to David Kgosi, who contested the seat under the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) ticket. In his resignation letter, Molobeng thanked the BDP and its members for the opportunity, experience and camaraderie he enjoyed during his years of service as a councillor. He did not initially disclose the reasons for his departure, simply stating that he had decided to move on. “I have decided that it is time for me to move on to a new chapter in my personal and political journey,” he wrote.
However, in an interview with Mmegi, Molobeng said his decision was largely influenced by what he described as growing disappointment amongst Matsitama residents with the BDP. He said residents who supported him during his two terms in office have lost confidence in the former ruling party and made it clear that they would not support him again if he continued contesting under the party. He said residents were particularly frustrated by what he described as decades of underdevelopment in Matsitama despite the village historically being considered a BDP stronghold. “People are losing interest in the BDP and there is nothing left for me there since the people who had previously sent me to represent them have lost hope in that party,” he explained. “Residents are not happy with BDP at all and as someone who puts the interests of the people at the forefront, I agree with them that BDP has failed us as the people of Matsitama.” Molobeng noted that during his tenure as a councillor, he repeatedly advocated for developments in the village, but many of the promises made to residents were never fulfilled. He singled out the poor condition of an 11-kilometre road serving the village as one of the major challenges facing Matsitama.
“The major problem we are facing in this village is the poor state of the road. This road is in a bad shape. There is no way investors could come and open businesses here and create job opportunities for residents because of the state of this road.” He said the road had been amongst the priorities for many years, arguing that its poor condition had contributed to the village's economic stagnation. Molobeng highlighted that unemployment remained a major concern, with economic opportunities in Matsitama limited. He revealed that many men depended largely on cattle herding, while women were predominantly engaged in household chores. Some villagers turn to the sale of homemade brews and wines as a source of income, the former councillor stated. Molobeng said his decision to join the BNF was informed by his belief that the UDC-led government offered a better platform through which he could continue advocating for the development of Matsitama. He also identified with the BNF's political programme and believed the UDC government's policies could improve the livelihoods of residents. “UDC's manifesto is rich in developing people's lives, something which I resonate with. I understand the lifestyle of my people better and I know that if we can vote and support UDC, our lives could be better.
Most of Matsitima residents are illiterate and they do not have job opportunities,” he added. Molobeng pointed to increases in old-age pensions and students' allowances, as well as what he described as efforts to attract investors into the country, as signs that the UDC government was addressing some of the issues affecting ordinary citizens. Equally, he said, aligning himself with the BNF would give him a stronger political platform from which to advocate for his community. “The next general election comes in three years' time and since I still have an interest in contesting, I have to prepare while there is still time. “With UDC, I am hopeful that I will win. I want to see our village develop and with a party that continues to show its intentions, I am hopeful that I will have their support,” he said. According to Molobeng, Matsitama trailed other villages in terms of infrastructure development and public services.
He said the village had only a small clinic and a primary school, forcing children to leave the village for boarding schools in other areas after completing Standard Seven and residents to travel long distances to seek better services. Improving education and health infrastructure should therefore be among the priorities for any government seeking to transform the village, Molobeng noted. “I was advocating for developments in Matsitama. There are a number of projects that I did during my tenure and the electorate knows my capabilities. With the support of a party with a rich manifesto like the BNF, I am confident that I can win their hearts back and push for development,” he said.
Molobeng's departure comes at a difficult period for the BDP, which ended its 58-year rule following the 2024 General Election. The party has since experienced a series of resignations and defections involving former leaders, councillors and other members, raising questions about its internal cohesion and its ability to rebuild ahead of the next general elections. For Molobeng, however, his latest political move is less about abandoning politics and more about finding a platform he believes will enable him to deliver for the people he previously represented.