Mpho Balopi: Why I stepped out of the shadows

| Friday September 23, 2011 00:00

 

Mpho Balopi is not your average politician. Actually the word politician sounds a little strange when used to describe him. He does not look like a man capable of political feats like traversing the vast semi-arid countryside to far-flung areas like Gonotsoga, Sankuyo, and Seronga to mix with rural folk. Most of the times, politicians sleep in classrooms or if they get lucky, they are accommodated by locals.

In this brief interaction with the ordinary folk, politicians get a real feel of the grinding poverty that lower-society is grappling with. While on the campaign trail, these politicians have to eat, drink and walk the poverty stricken environment of the potential voter they seek to cajole. So perhaps it is this political reality that has seen some sceptics wondering what this 42-year-old scion of the Balopi family has to offer in the 'dirty' political field. They are alarmed that the man, with his designer shirts, high society friends and associates has chosen to venture out of his safe haven in the corporate boardroom into the hostile political field where you do not only have to contend with enemies from outside, but even more dangerous, internal foes. His critics say that though he is a celebrated businessman with a nose for good investments, he is still a greenhorn in the world of politics, where the future is never certain. Anything can happen any time; a friend easily turns into a foe. Alliances are made and destroyed in political power-struggles and reputations suffer. So what makes Balopi gravitate towards politics or is it a case of politics gravitating towards him? The short answer is that he is in politics to give and share. This is shown in his business office, which oozes power. It has a touch of artworks and portraits of President Ian Khama. Some space is also filled with a drawn picture of the office owner. And then on the left side, atop the imposing executive table is a collection of books with titles that give hints about the man's personality.

There is a Myles Munroe, titled 'In Charge' which is largely a leader's manual for success as the top boss. The other one is a book titled 'Colour Bar,' and addresses issues of race, society and culture. By his own admission, the words 'society' and 'culture' are themes that define his approach to life. His love for art and culture has shaped his worldview. His job, the measure of his wealth, his very life is art. Meet Balopi, the owner of Native Impressions for eight years now. He says the Native Group of Companies, a communications company, employs 50 people with only one expatriate. 'Our work competes globally. I am not called managing director, I am a team leader,' he says.

He says he was brought up in a normal traditional Botswana family home in Tonota and later in Ramotswa where he grew up to be the man he is today.

The father of two says that he grew up as a humble, well-mannered boy, who was always polite to everyone, even strangers.

'I don't know how to insult people, perhaps that is why some people say I am misplaced in politics,' he says.

To explain why he joined politics, Balopi first looks back into his formative stage and gives the story of a budding secondary school boy with a big heart. The boy wanted to give so much that one day he risked a whipping after donating his new school shoes. 

'My parents had bought me two pairs of shoes and one day while at school, I noticed this boy who was from a poor background. He came to school barefoot. So I decided that I will give him my other new pair of shoes. When I got home, I simply told my parents that I had lost the shoes and tried looking for them and could not find them. So I like giving and sharing with the less fortunate, hence that is what I am doing in politics, volunteering and giving back to the community,' he says.

He says at school, he was known to be the boy who mixed with all classes, the poor and the rich. He was so popular and social that he had no qualms forging friendships with teachers. 'My siblings used to warn me against hanging out with just everyone, saying some might be thieves,' he says. At this time, he became increasingly close to Patrick Balopi, his father's younger brother who was a Member of Parliament then. One day he was visiting his favourite uncle at the Parliamentary Village and along the way, he chanced upon a small group of white people walking their dogs around the plush streets of the location. They called this place Tshaba Ntsa; in reference to the plates on the gates warning potential trespassers to look out for dangerous guard dogs.

'I was impressed with the whole scene; having my own beautiful house and car and enjoying life such that I could just afford to walk about the street to get the fresh air. At that moment, I knew I wanted to play a significant role in society and to do that, I had to establish myself. So far, I have done it through my business and now I want to serve the people,' he says.

So is politics a retirement vocation or some hobby? Does he agree with Winston Churchill who observed that: 'Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business'?

Balopi concurs. He says it was necessary to turn himself into a 'self-made' man to consolidate his economic base before going out to do national duty and sacrificing his time and resources in service of society through politics.

He refuses to be pigeonholed, especially by critics who say he is just a flamboyant rich man, fulfilling obligations to keep the Balopi political legacy alive. Though he is great friends with his influential uncle, Patrick, the younger Balopi argues that he has volunteered himself to feed a passion for community service.

'I am developing BDP as a big brand. Just wait and see. Business people, the youth and others will rally behind the BDP in big numbers,' he says of his plans for the highly conservative ruling party.

He sings the mantra of BDP activists, that the party is the only alternative. And he supports his argument by saying that President Khama visits the needy, shaking their hands and sits down in their ramshackle shelters, listening to the socio-economic woes and handing out blankets and food. 'He is a people's leader,' he says of the man whom the opposition has nicknamed Father Christmas. 

Balopi explains that contrary to what his critics are saying, he has been thoroughly initiated in real BDP politics. He has been in the trenches, fighting alongside the people and BDP leaders to remain in power. It is just that he has always been a behind-the-scenes man, he claims, but now he has stepped out to the front. 'I have never aligned with factions or sought popularity in my work for the party. Before I became secretary-general, I was in the finance sub-committee of the central committee. I have worked in many election campaigns, including the Tonota North by-election alongside my predecessor, Kentse Rammidi,' he says.

So what message does he have for the opposition that is trying hard through the umbrella model to topple his BDP?

'I respect them and we will be ready to debate issues on our programmes and other pertinent issues,' he says.

He does not see any threat from the united opposition. It is just a theatrical performance that will soon come apart, he says in derision.

'The opposition has always united against us, only to fall apart before the elections. So it is nothing new or frightening. Today, the BDP is organised and I hear the opposition saying all the foot soldiers have gone to Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). It is not true.  We have talented activists who are busy working for this party. The BDP is also better resourced to meet the demands of today. I am going to harness all these to re-brand the BDP into a formidable political organisation. I will ensure that all the structures work together in a cohesive way, from cells, wards, branches, constituencies and the central committee,' he says.

Of the BMD, Balopi has a very interesting thing to say. It is his prayer, he says, that one day the former BDP politicians who split to form the BMD will come back to the ruling party.

'I pray that one day, we will be united as a formidable force. The central committee has decided that everyone who comes back to the party will be accepted and given full mandate to operate. We are in an election mode, lobbying the defectors to come back,' he says. He asserts that the BDP is not an elite exclusive club.

'This is a game of numbers and we want to attract as many people as we can. I hope my untainted personality will help attract good people to the party,' he says.