What was billed as a tribal gathering at Serowe College of Education quickly revealed its political undercurrents. From the moment BDP president Mpho Balopi and party veteran Daniel Kwelagobe took the stage, the air was tense. When the floor opened for comments, all pretence of calm dissolved. Both Kwelagobe and Balopi apologised for the ill-treatment of the Khama family and for the tribe having been denied to use of their kgotla. The hall split in two: those pleading for forgiveness and those who wanted none of it. Whilst the organisers tried to keep the event 'tribal', it was clear to anyone from Serowe that many of the so-called malwela kgosi, protectors of the chief, were not just loyal to Khama, but aligned to opposition politics. Even the format reeked of strategy. Those calling for forgiveness were rushed. Those against it were given all the room to land blow after blow on the BDP.
Wame Rapitsenyane was the first to spit fire. “In Gammangwato, you don’t just ask for forgiveness empty-handed,” she snapped. “ I was at President Masisi’s first kgotla – I saw guns for the first time. You say you are sorry, but where is the one who caused the pain? Where is the swift justice?” The crowd stirred, some clapping, others nodding in agreement. Another speaker, Linah Kgaswane, took it further by saying, “You were there when Ian Khama was humiliated. He was accused of corruption and had to go to South Africa. Our parents spent nights in cells. You watched and stayed in the BDP. And now you say you are sorry? We don’t accept that apology. Not now. Not ever.” She pointed out that the BDP only came to apologise now because they were out of power. David Ikanyeng said, “If you are serious, then call out every single one who wronged us, even the late Kgotla Autlwetse, to come and apologise. Balopi, you should have resigned. You disappointed us. Who really sent you?”
