Motswaledi resigns from BDP

GREG KELEBONYE
Staff Writer | Wednesday April 28, 2010 00:00

 

He is joining the new Botswana Movement for Democracy otherwise known as Barata-Phathi.

'This (yesterday) morning at 11 o'clock I submitted my letter of resignation to the BDP,' he said. He added that he decided to leave the BDP because the party has lost direction.

'During my boyhood years, I joined a party marked by a legendary commitment to its constitution, with a culture for sober-minded dispute resolution and with a recognition of the broad national principles of democracy, unity, self-reliance, development and botho, as the fountain of inspiration for government policies as well as being the basis of Botswana's political culture and social disposition...the prudent exercise of political power then, ensured the flourishing of all aspects of the nations life... the economic progress, the social transformation, human development and the peace and tranquility which exist in Botswana were not haphazard and accidental but the work of men and women, of course, with the help and guidance of God,' he reminisced, before declaring that all these have died or are dying especially in the last two years that the party has been under President Ian Khama.

Since Khama's ascendancy in 2008, there has been much disquiet within the ruling party about his leadership style, much of it attributed to his totalitarian and disciplinarian methods. Motswaledi was last year suspended for five years from the party for questioning Khama's authority.

'It is with the most profound regret that I must mention that the past two or so years have seen a dramatic reversal of these (party) virtues.  In the same period, the BDP has become a plodding parody of what it used to be when I joined it,' Motswaledi said. He explained that his departure from BDP should not be seen to mean that his love for politics is declining. He said it is because of his love for politics that he has become part of a movement that believes in the need to restore the integrity of democracy in Botswana.

The departure of the popular musician-turned politician will deal another blow to the BDP, which has recently been deserted by other prominent members. Last Thursday another prominent youth, Ndaba Gaolathe resigned from the party. Both Motswaledi and Gaolathe's actions, the latest in the unfolding moves to solidify the new party, highlights a lack of leadership by the BDP central committee and undermines its key figures clout within the party.Motswaledi said he had to wait for the right time to leave the BDP and he has no regrets.

A native of Serowe like Khama who is said to be his distant relative, Motswaledi is one of the youngest recipients of Botswana's presidential honours. About 200 people attended his press conference.