Opposition can win in October
Staff Writer | Friday February 21, 2014 17:32
Critics have always regretted that regular elections with predictable results are of little significance to the growth of democracy. Elections must be heavily contested with all parties as possible victors. It is with this in mind that every sensible democracy would encourage a strong opposition, to keep watchful of the incumbent. With the incumbent Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) expecting a free ride as always, the opposition has this time around the best opportunity to wrestle power. While it is a foregone conclusion that facing BDP as one unit has once again failed, the opposition could still fancy its chances post elections.
The opposition needs to look for opportunities even when the chances look bleak. In fact, it is our view that chances have never been this better. With both UDC and BCP strong in their different forts, the BDP could have its attention divided and its strategies scuttled. The performance of BDP has not shown significant dominance over the year. With a borderline popular vote, the BDP cannot afford to blink and the opposition parties, from their different stables must throw in all that they have.
The opposition must stop crying for spilt milk but focus on massaging opportune political breasts. There are plenty of such opportunities. With popular vote this narrow the opposition may find that they need each other more than before. For them to succeed in any positive post election scenario, they must start cultivating the ground now. In short, the opposition must reduce their hostilities while still remaining competitive. Petty, childish and sometimes nonsensical chides and rebukes have reached their sell by date. Now these men and women must come to terms with the reality that power is within reach; and all that is needed is for sanity and maturity. The season of insults is over. Operating from different stables does not mean that they have parallel interests; No. it does not mean that they cannot be similarly effective in deposing the BDP.
A post election coalition will not work if the parties are not starting the preparations now. While some believe BCP was just grandstanding when it announced its support to UDC, we believe this is an opportunity to start some fires burning. Yes, the UDC may choose to scold its counterpart for whatever reason they might have but must still not lose the bigger picture; the opportunity is greater than the small time squabbling. BCP on the other hand must also humble itself when dealing with the other party and both must not blow small fights out of proportion. Normal disagreements and robust debates are not at fault but they need to be managed so that they do not defeat the common purpose of the parties’ existence.
It is therefore necessary to call upon party leaders to rein in on their rank and file, especially, the immature kids who trade insults in social media. The leaders must publicly scold and ultimately disown youth who use party names in malicious intents.
Unity can be achieved but in diversity. Parties must not be fixated on things that did not work. Put differently, parties must not always read failure where the results were not the expected. That there is the prospect of having only three parties to contest in the coming general elections is a great achievement.
Today’s thought
“Change is the end result of true learning”
– Leo F. Buscaglia,
American psychologist