History and perceptions of regionalism in Botswana

The build-up to the 1993 BDP national congress for the Central Committee elections in Masire's hometown of Kanye augmented factional combat in the party.

'No other Central Committee elections have ever been as hotly contested as this one', wrote a former BDP woman MP and cabinet minister, Clara Olsen (1993). She continued, 'Those who are vying for office are aware that those who are elected to the Central Committee will wield a great deal of influence in the party and will most likely have a great influence in the selection of parliamentary and even council candidates for the 1994 general elections, primary elections not withstanding'. Olsen reiterated the north - south issue and also shed new light on the predicament facing the BDP: