BDP factional realignment and the rise of the Third Force
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday August 22, 2014 11:39
Not only are the two previous hostile factions arising from their stupor but they are also marching one towards the other in apparent realignment of ideals. And why the realignment? The reality is that time – especially time in politics does not tick the same as your Lanco or Seiko. In political times the BMD was formed just yesterday. The party was the result of discontent with the party leadership specifically its president Ian Khama.
The president had not only suspended from the party, but had also recalled one of the BDP’s darlings the late Gomolemo Motswaledi who was a member of the Barata-Phathi. So, when the BMD was formed, it drew a huge chunk of the BDP largely those from the Barata-Phathi faction. Meanwhile a new camp was pupating within the BDP.
This comprised hitherto unknown people, and defectors from the BMD. These are increasingly being referred to as the Third Force within the BDP. They are disliked especially by traditional BDP who view them as tenderpreneurs – businessmen and women whose main agenda is to be privileged in business dealings by virtue of being in the BDP leadership.
The A-team faction was supportive of Khama and could not hide their animosity towards the Barata-Phathi faction at the height of the Khama-Motswaledi feud.
The A team and Barataphathi are now united in their dislike for the Third Force. The feeling is that since the third force team came into the picture, neither section is in control of powerful positions in the party. Their major gripe with Khama is that he has overlooked loyalty and favoured newcomers whom he has slotted into positions of power in the BDP, positions previously reserved for loyalists only. This, they see as betrayal.
“ The general feeling among long-time democrats is that newcomers have dominated the communications and political education committees,” said a BDP insider.
Things came to a boil during the party’s Maun elective congress last year, when a good number of new members, mainly business people were elected into its central committee. In their apparent realignment and shared frustration, the A-team and Barataphathi have found common ground and a common enemy in the Third Force. They are now looking to build the BDP’s “ruined walls” and are doing so “brick by brick, with each builder and labourer carrying his sword and shield” and very circumspectly. In fact Kwelagobe’s launch on Saturday not only brought back and together the A-team and Barataphathi in full-force. It also brought former presidents Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae, whose alignment with the newfound friendship between former hostile factions was evident at the launch.
“Kwelagobe has been side lined by Khama and his team. The former presidents show that they still appreciate and are willing to work with him. Again it shows that Khama and former presidents are not in good terms and that is why they can make negative statements against him,” said Political Analysist Leornard Sesa.
The involvement of Mogae and Masire and their recent statements will cause even hardcore Khama supporters to start asking questions about his style of leadership, says Sesa. These will be a major determinant of the BDP’s performance in the election.
“ There is a chance they may on the eleventh hour decide to vote for the opposition.”
However a BDP activist Thabo Autlwetse sees nothing wrong with Mogae and Masire’s presence at Kwelagobe’s launch.
“ It [the launch] is reflective of the ideals of a nation and party that takes pride in its history and treasures its elders. Botho begins with an appreciation of the contribution of others. Rra Nametso and Rra Gaone are worthy of all honor and acknowledgement for all their contribution to building this great Republic,” he said.
“We cannot afford to throw away our history by failing to engage the elders. It should be part of our identity.” Autlwetse said the BDP was not doing anything new by involving former presidents in campaigns.
“The practice is not new … for example Bill Clinton was heavily involved in Obama’s bid for a second term as was Thabo Mbeki in the ANCs campaign to return Zuma for his second term,” he said. “Again a man of stature as massive as that of Daniel Kwelagobe will always require that little bit extra. When the incumbent is away on state business it can only be pleasing that the party has other great men to carry on,” said Autlwetse.