The battle for the South- (Part II)

Masisi PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Masisi PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Notwithstanding allegations raised by the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) rigged the 2019 General Election, there is another weighty variant that was possibly ignored as a potential game changer in the last polls, writes Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE

The passing of the baton of power to President Mokgweetsi Masisi by his predecessor Ian Khama in 2018, anointing his then favourite (Masisi) as the fifth State President has seemingly been an undisputable game changer in the party’s north-south political divide.

The succession must have energised the southern region to welcome the newly anointed taskmaster with a vote of approval. For the longest time, the ruling party has not been performing so well in the constituencies south of the Dibete cordon fence, leaving the areas a natural stronghold for the opposition and in particular, the Botswana National Front (BNF) of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Editor's Comment
BDP primaries leave a lot to be desired

The BDP as a party known to have ample resources has always held its primaries well in time, but this time around that was not the case. The first leg of the primaries was held last weekend, with the final leg being billed for the coming weekend. This time around, the BDP failed to shine in its primary elections. The elections were chaotic; most if not all polling stations didn't open at the specified time of 6am. Loyal BDP members braved the...

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