Ke tloga ke phantsha - Masisi
Ryder Gabathuse | Friday May 31, 2019 22:01
Filled with confidence at the weekend launch of his trusted ally, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane in his backyard, Rakops, Masisi told ecstatic BDP diehards that he was about to spill the beans on Khama who had threatened to bring the BDP on its knees.
In the vernacular, Masisi who has proven to be a good orator, had thundered: “Kana ga se gore ga ke itse gore ke bua ka ga eng (It’s not that I am not aware of what I am talking about.)”
“Ke tloga ke phantsha (I will soon burst the secret open), “ he threatened, leaving his partisan followers cheering: “Phantsha (burst)!”
But, instead of him spilling the beans, Masisi diverted to other issues on his agenda for a while and in particular, he was outright in dismissing Khama’s threats to bring the BDP to its knees.
He never got any closer to spilling the beans, a factor that had raised the hopes of the masses that had thronged the Tsogwane launch to at least appreciate the source of animosity between Khama and Masisi.
His argument was that, an individual cannot bring down the BDP as an institution.
In his own words, Masisi had intimated that the BDP was built on a rock and hence it is a solid institution that cannot be easily shaken by the winds blowing across the country initiated by Khama. Interestingly, Masisi’s threats to spill the beans on his predecessor seemingly became political bait that apparently attracted masses to Masisi’s rallies, as officially, the President was yet to share his troubles with his former mentor, Khama. He has left the public including his party members just guessing the source of the Masisi/Khama differences.
For the uninitiated, post his inauguration last year April 1, as the State President, Masisi and Khama openly fell out. Up to now Khama has seemingly been playing victim, claiming harassment at the hands of the Masisi-led government to the extent that he has to exit the BDP.
Khama’s support now has shifted to the newly formed Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) with a strong base in GammaNgwato.
In his element in Rakops, Masisi just from nowhere raised alarm that if anyone has come to his meeting with his/her issues was wasting his/her time. Masisi also challenged Khama to explain to his colleagues what was troubling him with a notion of ending such troubles.
He would also suggest that Khama should, if necessary, admit to his troubles and go to the lengths of seeking peace like any other party member would do.
“After that process you will continue freely as a BDP member like any other and enjoy all the benefits of being a member and even more,” Masisi said.
He would demonstrate with former Cabinet minister and MP for Lentsweletau/Mmopane, Moeng Pheto that the BDP was welcoming, as he was welcomed back into the party fold after contesting as an independent candidate.