"Our association was formed to pursue the interests of Bayei as we feel we are being neglected by government. We are not recognised as a tribe that can have its own paramount chief." Mpoke Karapo said that they are not affiliated to any political party and their membership is open to everyone interested in joining them. "It is not true that we are affiliated to BAM," fumed Karapo. But he said people might associate them with BAM because most of their members are from BAM, "and this does not reflect that we are a politically-aligned association.
"One of our paramount chiefs, Samakabadi (Shikati II), was a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) councillor for Motopi, which quashes away the notion that we are a BAM baby," said Karapo, who is a BAM councillor for Tubu. He revealed that their first paramount chief, Calvin Diile (Shikati I) and the current leader Fish Ozoa (Shikati III) are not BAM members. "I don't know which political party he belongs to." Asked who qualifies to be a Kamanakao member, Karapo said that anyone is welcome without looking at their tribal origins, political party affiliation or religious orientation. He said even their activities are open to everyone interested in knowing and understanding Bayei culture and tradition. "I also invite you to attend our independence celebrations which are going to be held at our Kgotla," said Karapo pointing to their refurbished Kgotla with reeds in Tubu.
