As if that was not enough responsibilities, he has also made it into Cabinet as Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development. Due to several positions he holds, some members of his party doubt as to whether he will effectively carry out his BDP duties as Cabinet is demanding and he is also expected to make time for voters. In view of such sentiments, there have since been calls for Balopi to step down as BDP Secretary General as there is a lot of work to be done in preparing for the party elective congress slated for next year. However there are some who say Balopi has successfully helped the BDP to win elections and therefore there is no need for him to step down before the congress. Historically, the BDP has had Secretary Generals who also held Ministerial posts such as Daniel Kwelagobe. “I do not think his work will suffer especially at the party. Balopi is capable to handle both work and his position will help the party because he would know some issues better as a cabinet Minister. Of course during former President Ian Khama, the party felt that Ministers should not hold party positions but that thinking was later changed. I was a Minister and deputy secretary general, but my work did not suffer,” Deputy secretary general Shaw Kgathi said. He also explained that the party central committee would meet soon to decide on whether the elective congress be held next year. The deputy party secretary general said the elective congress was postponed because this year was the year of elections.
Meanwhile political analyst’ Professor Zibani Maundeni said; “Balopi’s role is more like that of the President. It will not be the first time for the BDP to have someone who is the secretary general and also a Cabinet minister at the same time.
