Is BMD a threat to opposition?

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday July 2, 2010 00:00

 

Mamela was part of the 11 Botswana National Front (BNF) MPs who formed the BCP after a major split in 1998 in Palapye. He said the going was very tough after they split from the BNF. 'The environment was very hostile from both the ruling party and other opposition parties and no one seemed to appreciate what we were doing. People thought we were bought,' said Mamela. He explained that a motion moved by the ruling party back-bencher and later cabinet minister, Gladys Kokorwe in 1998 did not help matters as it raised the people's emotions. The motion was targeting politicians that crossed the floor to other political parties. 'After the motion was passed, the law reform committee of Parliament was tasked  with collecting views of the people as part of the consultation process.'

Mamela said that for BMD, the environment is not really bad, 'unless Batswana are simply taking them half-way'.He noted that there is always excitement from the people who want to know and see the new party and its leadership.

He said BCP pioneers like legislator Isaac Mabiletsa, the late Paul Rantao and Botshabelo Bagwasi later left the party. 'Forming a new party requires hardwork, determination, resilience and above all patience. But, with the BMD, it seems they have hit the ground running,' he stated.

Mamela indicated that while it seems that the BMD has started well, going forward might prove difficult, 'as the ruling BDP might start fighting with everything at their disposal even if that means sabotage'.

The former MP said the BCP benefited immensely from the 2001 BNF split that led to the formation of the National Democratic Front (NDF). 'A lot of people realised why the BCP was formed.'

University of Botswana (UB) social work lecturer and political commentator, Log Raditlhokwa says that forming a political party is a challenge especially because opposition parties have not been performing well in the country.

Raditlhokwa says that one advantage BMD has is that it was formed under pressure. 'They were under immense pressure and they knew that forming a party was not an easy task. It also seems there is enough information reaching the public about this new project,' he says. He says it is good the BMD has been in touch with other opposition parties although there is no official position on working together. He says the BCP and BMD seems to have an understanding and some people who were initially reluctant to join active politics have now joined the BMD. 'The number of people who did not participate in politics but now have joined the BMD show that people want to see democracy preserved. Very interesting is that some academics, who were not engaged in politics are now active and mobilising support for the BMD.'

Raditlhokwa says BMD needs to be given time and to be judged on its policy documents.

He indicated that people should not expect a big difference between the BMD and other opposition parties. 'How they conduct their leadership contests could be the main difference. They left the BDP because of leadership. If the BDP leadership was open to discussion or negotiations, it is possible that those who left the ruling party could still be talking about electoral reform and constitutional amendment amongst other things from inside,' he explains.

While he says that the youthful BMD interim leadership is smart and has experience, he warns that the BDP is not going to allow them to grow and will use sabotage to thwart the new party.

In general, Raditlhokwa says it is too early to rush to any conclusions as to whether the BMD will continue to be a factor in local politics. He says the new party is operating in difficult terrain. He believes that youthful Batswana will enable the BMD to make a mark. 'In the end, the restriction in the use of the media is going to work against the BDP. Batswana are careful and this will result in a backlash as Batswana are used to fairness in a democratic dispensation,' he says.

BMD interim deputy chairman, Botsalo Ntuane said that they strongly believe that as a party, they arrived on the political scene at the right time, when many Batswana are losing faith and patience in the BDP. 'Another factor working in our favour is that the BDP has been in power for too long. There is a sense that the time for change has arrived, furthermore, our principled resistance to the undemocratic tendencies of the current administration has struck a cord,' he said.

He added that they are aware that for them to bring a change of government in 2014, all democratic forces must work together to ensure freedom and democracy for the people. He said it is a challenge to establish a new party from scratch. 'But, so far we have benefited immensely from the tremendous goodwill and generosity of many Batswana. We trust they will continue their support and we pledge not to betray them,' he promised.