Well, let us put things into perspective. ZANU PF is the ruling party in Zimbabwe; the BDP is the ruling party in Botswana. These two have a relationship dating back to the independence struggle in Zimbabwe: Sir Seretse Khama and other eminent statesmen of the frontline states were instrumental in the collapse of white minority rule in Zimbabwe and ushering in the government of Robert Mugabe in its current form. At the Lancaster house talks, Mugabe and his fighters hated the idea of sharing the country and governance with the whites but were told by Sir Seretse Khama and Juilius Nyerere that they had to agree to the terms-if not, the frontline states would no longer support the struggle. With no choice, the freedom fighters accepted the terms they so much hated. That was in 1979 or thereabout.
Well then a new republic was built, rising to become the ‘bread basket of Southern Africa’. They disaster struck as cionflict brewed and ZANU PF grew more unpopular. As democracy was under siege, Botswana under President Mogae adopted a policy of silent diplomacy-never criticizing ZANU PF or Mugabe’s administration in public. So relations were cordial.
