Heads is Barata, and tails, A-Team. Wena?

EDWARD BULE
Correspondent | Tuesday April 20, 2010 00:00

As the two BDP factions, the A-Team and Barata-Phathi slug it out the rank and file are compelled to take sides.And the names themselves, which are essentially slogans, say it all. The name A-Team suggests that the members of their group are the cream of the BDP, while the name Barata-Phathi (those who love the Party) suggests that their group is the guardian of the true norms and values of the BDP.

Maitumelo Mahupela, a resident of Maipaafela and die-hard BDP member, believes President Ian Khama is a good leader. She agrees with government's decision to impose a levy on alcohol.  The fact that the hours of operation for bars and bottle stores have been shortened is something positive to her. Mahupela, however, feels that there should have been more consultation so that people are part of the solution.  She believes there is no need for a split and calls upon BDP members to give reconciliation a chance. She is nervous that should unity not be restored, the new party might lose the next election. Neo Dijeng, also of Maipaafela, challenges Barata-Phathi members of Parliament to address their constituents before forming a new party. She says that the president is sometimes criticised for implementing measures that were agreed upon even before he entered politics.  She doesn't think the new party will get any support from peace-loving Batswana who are not interested in conflicts.

She rates Khama as a good leader who makes decisions on the basis of what the ordinary people tell him when he visits them in their villages and homes.

Ronald Ramabele Phokoje believes that the Barata-Phathi MP's are hypocritical because while they accuse President Ian Khama of unilateralism, they themselves have decided to form a breakaway party without first consulting their voters.   He opines that the law should be changed so that MPS, or councillors, who cross the floor must vacate their seats and allow for a by-election. In his view, Barata-Phathi are selfish troublemakers who will only go the way of COPE, a breakaway party from South Africa's ANC. He likes Khama for making decisions on his feet, literally and figuratively. A resident of Somerset, who identifies himself only as Mthandazo, says that it is no longer possible to achieve reconciliation in the BDP since, in his view, it is not feasible for the two factions to trust each other.  His conclusion is that Barata-Phathi should reject overtures since they will not be genuine.  With so much fear and unhappiness among the people, he sees a bright future for the new party especially if the party joins hands with the other opposition parties.  He advises the Barata-Phathi leaders to address their constituents. 

Gofamodimo Tsotsopane, a life member of the BDP, believes that all effort, especially by the central committee should be given a chance.

Looking at the meagre 4 percent margin between the BDP and the opposition, he calculates that it would be risky not to give reconciliation a chance. His judgement is that Barata-Phathi are a force to reckon with if the central committee election result in Kanye, where this faction achieved a landslide victory, is anything to go by.  Samuel Moladelo Moribame of the Botswana Congress Party sees no wisdom in Barata-Phathi members going back to the BDP fold. He feels egos have been bruised beyond repair. He sees a breakaway as a practical solution to factionalism especially when it has become clear that the disagreements can no longer be resolved amicably.  In his view, the A-Team can only lure the breakaway group in order to victimise them in the next primary elections with the aim of finishing them off. It has occurred during the landmark Motswaledi case when he challenged his suspension that the president has enormous powers and this is not good for democracy.  The way forward is for Barata-Phathi to break away and then enter into some kind of cooperation with the opposition in order to unseat the BDP at the 2014 general elections. Barata-Phathi after all agree with the opposition on issues such as the declaration of assets.  Another opposition activist, Smuts Shabane, of the Botswana Alliance Movement has no sympathy for the BDP. He is however apprehensive about the implications of a split in a ruling party.  Those in power could declare a state of emergency and suspend the constitution in order to rule by decree if they feel their position is threatened. On the other hand, an early election would be a major burden to the economy.