The battle for the South- (Part II) :: Mmegi Online

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).

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