Veteran politician calls for change

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday August 2, 2010 00:00

He asserted that the truth cannot be hidden for eternity and it is time that people speak openly.

'I have long told people that BDP is an oppressor but now it is exciting to see that people are doing something about the situation,' he said. Mpho said it is time Batswana changed the way they have been doing things.

He stated that Batswana have been treating the BDP with kid gloves because it belongs to bogosi. He added that politics is greater than chieftainship. He called for opposition parties to work together because it is the only way they can remove BDP from power. He said he expects members of the BMD to practice clean politics. 'If you are greedy, you will destroy this party,' he said.

Mpho stated that people attended the rally in large numbers because they are running away from the BDP.Kgatleng West MP, Gilbert Mangole said there is mass exodus of people from the BDP to the BMD.

He said even councillors who were paraded in Tsamaya by the BDP have joined the new party because they are against BDP rule. He stated that it is patriotism that drove them to BMD. 'We are about to take over the whole of Francistown and Gaborone councillors. Even here in Maun, there are some councillors who have joined us,' he said.  South East South MP, Odirile Motlhale, said he was tired of BDP rule. He stated that he has joined BMD after soul searching and his councillors are also on board. He dismissed the BDP as a dead party. Lobatse MP, Nehemiah Modubule said it is time for change and Batswana must take back their country.

He said the opposition must fight the BDP as a united force.

He pointed out that they must be prepared to sacrifice because they cannot expect to get funding from De Beers like BDP. 'You must be prepared to sacrifice or else you will not manage. You should fund the party or else we will not go anywhere,' said Modubule. He advised BMD members to market the party because Botswana Television cannot do it for them. BMD interim president, Gomolemo Motswaledi said he did not expect such a huge crowd to attend the rally.

He said Batswana own their country and they must redeem its democracy.