BMD factions come face-to-face in Bobonong
Chakalisa Dube | Friday July 14, 2017 15:15
A faction led by BMD chairperson, Nehemiah Modubule and secretary general, Gilbert Mangole (Modubule/Mangole faction) and one headed by expelled president Ndaba Gaolathe and his deputy Wynter Mmolotsi (Gaolathe/Mmolotsi faction) have been at the centre of feuding in the party.
The Modubule/Mangole faction recently presided over the sacking of Ndaba as well as other members of his faction. Ndaba and his group have openly dismissed their sacking.
The rift between the BMD leaders came as a result of differences over the re-admission of advocate Sydney Pilane back into the party.
The Gaolathe/Mmolotsi faction was against Pilane being welcomed back into the party while Modubule’s team favoured the prodigal son’s return.
There are widespread allegations that Pilane has infiltrated the BMD, a position dismissed by the Modubule/Mangole faction.
The BDP through the Mochudi branch subsequently welcomed Pilane into the party fold after the Gaborone North region initially shunned him.
Since then, the tension between the two factions has not shown any signs of subsiding.
Now, the BMD members will meet to decide the future of the party in Bobonong. Both factions have indicated that they want the BMD to emerge from Bobonong as a strong electoral force.
However, ahead of the crucial meeting, odds appear to be stacked against Modubule’s faction. From the start, the faction does not enjoy the support of the grassroots.
From widespread reports, Gaolathe and his team also appear to have canvassed a lot around the country and a majority of them dismissed Modubule’s team.
Hypothetically the Gaolathe/Mmolotsi faction appears to have a strong backing of the masses.
It has been widely stated that the Modubule/Mangole faction is trying to fiddle with party records with a view of preventing congress delegates who are backing Gaolathe’s team from attending and replacing them with their own backers.
However, it is not a given that the delegates chosen by Modubule may snub Gaolathe’s team. This is for a simple reason; members do not want to be in the party for fun.
The BMD will go to the primaries next year. Primaries by nature want a clean central committee that can run things smoothly.
Modubule and company are thought to be fuelling unrest in the BMD and this is a factor that may result in voters seeing them as pretenders hence going for the other faction.
Even if the Modubule/Mangole faction does succeed in their attempt to take their preferred delegates at the elections, it is not a given that they will be voted for.
Depending on the prevailing circumstances, delegates have in the past proven that they can change their position at the 11th hour and vote for someone they did not initially favour. This may be the case in Bobonong.
The Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) factor is also one aspect that can prove crucial in the leadership race for the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). The umbrella union has made it clear that it is backing Gaolathe and his team. This scenario places the Modubule/Mangole faction in a difficult position.
This is because the union is highly regarded and has played a fundamental role in the existence of the UDC, which includes the BMD.
Gaolathe’s character may also save his team from sheer embarrassment against the Modubule/Mangole faction. Gaolathe is not a typical freedom square politician, but when he stands up he oozes intellect.
He is considered a man of principle, adored even by the ruling party.
He has also been relatively diplomatic in the public arena with regards to the factionalism in the party.
BMD members may choose to go for Gaolathe along with his team because of his traits and demeanour, which many believe, can help the UDC achieve its mandate of toppling the BDP out of power.
Early this week there were reports that there is tension between members of the Modubule/Mangole faction. Jostling for positions amongst the members reportedly fuelled the tension.
Voters may shun the Modubule faction as a result of the jostling for positions, especially towards the elections. Fighting over positions may be seen as an act of opportunism and lack of readiness to take the movement forward.
Political analyst, Kebapetse Lotshwao said that it is difficult to predict what might be the outcome of the Bobonong congress.
“During the congress proceedings, I think delegates should think about the bigger picture more especially the prospects of the UDC going to the 2019 general elections,” he said. Lotshwao also believes that odds may be stacked against Modubule.
“If at all the elections are held and the congress allows Gaolathe and his team to contest they will win. I haven’t seen many people who are backing Modubule’s team so it is unlikely that they will emerge victorious.”
He added: “There is nothing worrying about Gaolathe’s character, which to some extent may work for him and his team. He is widely respected by the masses”.
Whoever wins the elections, according to the political analyst, should focus on trying to bring peace and stability within the party.