The BDP, which lost the General Election last October split twice during their 58-year rule resulting in the formation of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF). The BDP splinter parties took with them party heavyweights amongst them former president Ian Khama who helped form the BPF on the eve of the 2019 General Election. Now Morwaeng, who believes he could be the engine that can turn back BDP’s fortunes in 2029, says the key secret to the party’s return is reconciliation and recruiting old members. Morwaeng told the media this week during a presser that he is the right man for the job of bringing back former members of the once mighty party. “I will fight for reconciliation. I will facilitate this process and rebuild the BDP. Let’s assume we have lost this election and that Batswana didn’t vote for us, there is still a lot to do. As BDP members we should forgive each other because congresses and primary elections had divided us,” he said. Morwaeng said the intention is to recruit members of the now defunct BMD as well as the latter’s splinter party Alliance for Progressives (AP). He said it is not a problem that the AP is currently a member affiliate of the current ruling party-the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). “We want to bring back the AP because all MPs in Parliament currently such as Wynter Mmolotsi, Ndaba Gaolathe, and Pius Mokgware are former BDP, they need to come back. I will also fight to bring back members of the BPF, Khama included,” he said.
Morwaeng was known for criticising Khama at the height of the latter’s feud with former president Mokgweetsi Masisi. The former Molepolole South Member of Parliament (MP) added that BDP needs the support of former presidents such as Masisi, Khama, and Festus Mogae. “I believe that with all those people on board including former MPs, ministers, councillors, the BDP can return to power in 2029. We had the popular vote in October and we are practically the largest party in terms of popular vote. UDC is made up of three parties, but we are far ahead of them,” he noted. Morwaeng said if he manages to reconcile all current BDP members and those who had left for other parties then, the BDP will have all the expertise to return to power. He felt that he would be taking over what is often referred to as ‘the melting pot’ and therefore, believes he is ready. He indicated that even before he served in the Cabinet, he held various positions in the party structures.
