The BDP lifted Batswana - Balopi

From the ululations, singing and dancing that greeted the arrival of former Member of Parliament for Francistown at the civic centre, it was clear that Patrick Balopi was the hero of the BDP faithful who packed the hall. Balopi first entered parliament in 1979, breaking the Botswana Peoples' Party (BPP) stranglehold on the town that dated back to Independence. Since then, the BDP has maintained a vice grip on what has now become Botswana's second city.

Giving a lecture on 'The History of the BDP' last Friday, Balopi, who is a former teacher, told the BDP faithful in the hall to be proud of the achievements of their party.