Opposition unity: Is history repeating itself? :: Mmegi Online

History has a way of repeating itself, only that people are too forgetful to notice. In early 2006, just before opposition parties could embark on unity talks, scores of Botswana Congress Party (BCP) activists, notably in the Kweneng area, defected to the Botswana National Front (BNF).

Among them was former Mogoditshane MP Mokgweetsi Kgosipula, who had served the BCP as secretary general. The BNF was only too happy to welcome Kgosipula, while the BCP cried foul. The BCP argued that it was the wrong time to welcome defectors while the parties were about to embark on a process of cooperation. The BCP said reciving defectors from its ranks will only undermine the process that required confidence-building. The BNF must have been only too happy to swell their numbers and celebrate their conquest. "How can we stop people who want to join our party," was the refrain from the BNF.

Kgosipula joined the BNF and went on to give some memorable quotes to members of the press who latched on for sound bites.

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Opposition unity: Is history repeating itself?

History has a way of repeating itself, only that people are too forgetful to notice. In early 2006, just before opposition parties could embark on unity talks, scores of Botswana Congress Party (BCP) activists, notably in the Kweneng area, defected to the Botswana National Front (BNF).

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