BDP settles 17-cattle bill to mend GaMmangwato ties

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday September 30, 2026 06:00

The cattle were handed over last week, completing a 17-cattle payment demanded by the tribe over grievances dating back to the party’s time in power. BDP executive secretary, Ame Makoba, confirmed the development in an interview on Monday, saying the payment followed complaints raised by Bangwato against the former ruling party.

According to Makoba, the tribe charged the BDP 17 cows over allegations that the party had denied the tribe access to the kgotla whilst it was in government. The Bangwato also blamed the party for circumstances that resulted in its paramount chief going into exile. The BDP had already delivered seven cattle last year, leaving 10 outstanding. The latest handover therefore completes the 17-cattle payment.

“We were charged 17 cattle, and we had finished our payment. We also brought food that could be eaten during Boipuso,” Makoba added.

He said the gesture formed part of the BDP’s broader commitment to reconciliation and peace-building.

“As the party, we believe in peace-making. We found our mistake, and we are correcting that,” the executive secretary said.

His comments come as the BDP seeks to repair its relationship with the GaMmangwato tribe following tensions that arose during the party’s time in government.

The dispute centred on the relationship amongst the government, the tribe and its traditional leadership. Amongst the grievances raised was the alleged denial of access to the kgotla, an important institution in the community.

The exile of the tribe’s paramount chief was also cited amongst the grievances against the BDP. Meanwhile, Makoba has dismissed claims by some political parties that the BDP is attempting to win the allegiance of former party president and current GaMmangwato kgosikgolo, Ian Khama.

The claims have emerged amidst renewed attention on the relationship between political parties and traditional leaders, particularly given Khama’s previous role in national politics. Makoba, however, said Khama had made his position clear that his role is now that of a traditional leader rather than a politician.

He said the BDP’s engagement with GaMmangwato should therefore not be interpreted as an attempt to recruit or influence the chief politically. Khama served as president of Botswana and previously led the BDP before leaving the party. He later became involved in the political opposition but now serves as the GaMmangwato chief.

According to Makoba, the cattle payment is instead about addressing past grievances and rebuilding relations with the tribe. The BDP had already delivered seven cattle last year, with the latest 10 bringing the total to 17. The party also provided food for consumption during Boipuso as part of its engagement with the community.

The latest handover marks another step in the BDP’s efforts to restore relations with GaMmangwato whilst acknowledging grievances linked to its previous administration.

For Makoba, correcting what the party considers past mistakes is central to its efforts to promote peace and reconciliation. With the final cattle delivered, the BDP has now completed the payment demanded by the tribe, closing the cattle component of the dispute whilst leaving the broader relationship between the party and Ga Mmangwato to develop further.