Mpho Balopi is not your average politician. Actually the word politician sounds a little strange when used to describe him. He does not look like a man capable of political feats like traversing the vast semi-arid countryside to far-flung areas like Gonotsoga, Sankuyo, and Seronga to mix with rural folk. Most of the times, politicians sleep in classrooms or if they get lucky, they are accommodated by locals.
In this brief interaction with the ordinary folk, politicians get a real feel of the grinding poverty that lower-society is grappling with. While on the campaign trail, these politicians have to eat, drink and walk the poverty stricken environment of the potential voter they seek to cajole. So perhaps it is this political reality that has seen some sceptics wondering what this 42-year-old scion of the Balopi family has to offer in the 'dirty' political field. They are alarmed that the man, with his designer shirts, high society friends and associates has chosen to venture out of his safe haven in the corporate boardroom into the hostile political field where you do not only have to contend with enemies from outside, but even more dangerous, internal foes. His critics say that though he is a celebrated businessman with a nose for good investments, he is still a greenhorn in the world of politics, where the future is never certain. Anything can happen any time; a friend easily turns into a foe. Alliances are made and destroyed in political power-struggles and reputations suffer. So what makes Balopi gravitate towards politics or is it a case of politics gravitating towards him? The short answer is that he is in politics to give and share. This is shown in his business office, which oozes power. It has a touch of artworks and portraits of President Ian Khama. Some space is also filled with a drawn picture of the office owner. And then on the left side, atop the imposing executive table is a collection of books with titles that give hints about the man's personality.
