Rising polarisation could derail BDP in 2019, Ntuane warns

Presenting the secretary general’s report at the BDP’s 37th elective congress here over the weekend, Ntuane worriedly noted that harmonious interaction is under threat in the party. “If not brought to an abrupt halt, the party risks an increase in polarisation which could be counterproductive for all as we prepare for 2019 general election,” warned the outgoing secretary general. Over the weekend, Ntuane lost his seat to Mpho Balopi, but returned to the BDP central committee via a nomination by party president, Ian Khama.

The outgoing SG highlighted that the BDP is already familiar with the damage that intra-party divisions can cause as evidenced by electoral setbacks suffered by other ruling parties elsewhere. “As an independence ruling party, we should never allow divisions and disunity to compromise our grip on the levers of power because history is replete with examples of what happens to parties that expose themselves to such vulnerability,” Ntuane said, echoing Khama’s remarks to the congress.