Reinvention of the BDP and the resurrection of the Khama Dynasty

Instead of forging party cohesion and unity based on a political vision borne of the spirit of republicanism and social equality, the BDP delegates chose instead to take a great leap backward and to enfeudalise the party by building its cohesion and unity around the name of Ian Khama, the descendent of the legendary Bamangwato monarch of yesteryear. Khama came into the BDP in 1998 following the recommendations of the Professor Schlemmer consultancy.  Schlemmer's report entitled Present Realities and Strategies for the Future pointed out that the 'BDP's track record had run out of tracks' and that the party needed   to  'reinvent' itself if it was to survive. According to Schlemmer, the   BDP needed somebody with 'sufficient dynamism'   to drive this process.

Although Schlemmer did not mention names, Ian Khama became the obvious choice.