From Botswana Democracy Party (BDP) to Botswana Die- Hard Party (BDP)!

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party used to be ‘democratic’ in the recognised definition of the word. That was so, particularly on the eve of our independence when the party defied the advocacy of single party democracy adopted by the majority of the newly independent African countries.

She deliberately risked being called a ‘Western stooge’ by declaring herself a multiparty democracy. By joining the existing and growing number of nations who recognised that multiparty democracy was the in-thing for the future, a model government system to be the standard bearer of pro-people flag of developing humanity in line with the dynamism of unity in diversity, Botswana was visionary and forward-looking. 

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Botswana was remaining true to some of Tswana maxims which applaud freedom of speech and equal status of Batswana e.g:  Mmualebe o bua la gagwe … mahoko a kgotla a mantle otlhe! One party state system was military dictatorship in another form. Detestable!

Editor's Comment
BDP primaries leave a lot to be desired

The BDP as a party known to have ample resources has always held its primaries well in time, but this time around that was not the case. The first leg of the primaries was held last weekend, with the final leg being billed for the coming weekend. This time around, the BDP failed to shine in its primary elections. The elections were chaotic; most if not all polling stations didn't open at the specified time of 6am. Loyal BDP members braved the...

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