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.
