BMD should not squander popular goodwill

Editor | Thursday April 29, 2010 00:00

From the day that new party's delegates met in Mogoditshane, it was apparent that the party had the people's goodwill. And these are people from across the political divide. 

The BMD has finally been formed and it appears set to be something to reckon with. The almost tearful excitement that accompanies talk from many a young BDP member shows the extent to which the party will affect the membership of the ruling party, threatening to divide it in half.

It is not only youth from the BDP who have warmed up to the party, but also older people. And so have members of opposition parties.  What this means is that Barata-Phathi has tremendous goodwill from the people.  It is the type that is not dissimilar to what we have seen when minorities and new movements stand up to boldly say they will change the course of history in their countries. We saw it with US President, Barack Obama, Kenya's Raila Odinga, Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change and Ukraine's, Viktor Yushchenko. What we saw with most, especially Ukraine, was sombre enthusiasm in their politicking. Perhaps this is what warmed them up to the people.

It is perhaps the demeanour of the leaders of BMD prior to the BDP leadership election in Kanye that impressed its future admirers.Members of the then faction did not engage in unsavoury talk with the leadership of the BDP. Even when supporters of the other faction went all the way to de-campaign them, the Barata-Phathi went about their campaign in a very clean and decent manner.  They went on to win all the contested seats in Kanye. Today the excited talk that accompanies every discussion about Barata-Phathi exudes the trust that most discussants have in the party.  The party has also been welcomed quite clearly by the opposition. At a press conference on Tuesday, during which former BDP secretary general Gomolemo Motswaledi, announced his resignation to join BMD, a number of opposition parties were represented by prominent figures.

The goodwill that has accompanied the formation of the movement is thus monumental and almost scary. Some might view the BMD as the last movement to be in need of advice considering its history. We will nonetheless offer our advice: BMD should not squander the goodwill of the people. Its formation is certainly necessary for Botswana's democracy and it will go a long way in helping to reinforce the battle for democracy that other opposition parties have been waging against the BDP. Its credibility as an opposition party that can, and really should ultimately work with other opposition parties to provide the necessary check on the BDP, will be tested by the extent of its respect for the people who have so graciously embraced it.

                                                                   Today's thought'Fundamentalism is not a phenomenon limited to religion. Any belief system can become intolerant and give rise to violence. Whether one likes it or not, humanity is 'wired' for myth. Mutual tolerance is the only way.'

                                                                - Michael Kingavid Strassburger