Khama wants another 50-years for BDP
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday August 29, 2017 17:17
This is according to President Ian Khama whose party has been under siege since he took over power nearly a decade ago. In addition, he said opposition parties have proven that they cannot rule the country and they are often charactersised by severe anarchy and unrest. “Nothing seems to have changed over the years (about the opposition),” said Khama who was the guest speaker at the BDP’s 55th anniversary.
Khama also used the occasion to launch the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mochudi East, Isaac Davids who recently defected to the ruling party from the opposition bloc, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). He labelled the legislator 'a fitting birthday present' to the BDP. Despite challenging times often encountered by the BDP, Khama said the ruling party still remains a very viable entity than the opposition. “After each darkest challenge we come out stronger than ever before. Even in our darkest of moments, we never lose what has brought us together as a party,” he said.
In Khama’s view, the BDP is also showing signs that it is gaining more strength leading to the 2019 general elections.
To drive his point home, Khama resorted to his usual theatrics.
He mimicked a weight-lifter, hoisting a plastic toy designed like a dumbbell used by weight-lifters building strength. After lifting the dumbbell, a boastful Khama went for a red towel to wipe his face.
“We are slowly gaining strength like weight lifters,” he said.
He then grabbed a fire extinguisher and imitated a fire-fighter dousing the fire. He would then declare that the BDP would ‘extinguish’ the opposition parties in 2019.
The BDP fire-brand said the party will also soon up its recruitment drive and launch a comprehensive strategy in a bid to convincingly win elections in 2019.
Khama also urged BDP diehards to shy away from complacency. He said the party should always strive to keep up pace with the prevailing political dynamics in order to adapt to challenges if it wants to remain in power for a notable duration.
At the event the African National Congress (ANC) secretary general, Gwede Mantashe said the role of Botswana in the liberation of South Africa is often underestimated.
He said going forward, the ANC will embark on a mission to sensitise the public about the exact role Botswana played in the liberation of South Africa. Mantashe also said the ANC plans to have a monument in Botswana in honour of its members who were killed during the liberation struggle in the country.
Mantashe had led an ANC delegation from South Africa to Serowe for the BDP activity. The BDP’s 55th anniversary coincided with the ANC’s 55th anniversary of the Lobatse conference.