For instance, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) president, Duma Boko, held one of the most attended rallies before the 2019 polls, yet he ultimately lost, despite widespread expectations of an easy win. Similarly, in 2014, Botsalo Ntuane had a well-attended and organised campaign launch, but he did not succeed in the election. On Sunday, Serame hosted a highly organised and well-attended launch, with party members being transported in buses from various parts of her constituency. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the BDP supporters in Goodhope-Mmathethe are truly loyal or merely pretending, a question that will be answered on October 30, 2024. This uncertainty arises after Dr Edwin Dikoloti, who had contested the primaries and won against Serame, decided to run as an independent candidate after the BDP central committee's decision to go with Serame. Although Serame lost the primaries by a wide margin, the BDP central committee eventually selected her after she appealed the results citing irregularities. The electoral board ruled out a rerun, but the central committee determined that Dikoloti had unfairly influenced the primary elections by bringing in people from other areas to vote. As a result, many of Dikoloti’s supporters were disgruntled, with some joining him under the 'Wena Beula' slogan, while others stayed with the party.
This controversy has caused tension in some villages, where many believe that Dikoloti was unfairly treated by the party leadership. Before the primaries, it was reported that Dikoloti had been warned by the party to stop promoting factions within it and also refrain from using the name 'Beula'. During the launch, Serame explained to President Mokgweetsi Masisi that the crowds at the launch were merely residents of that area and also party members. “We had provided transport for the members because this area is wide and far apart. This constituency has 21 council candidates from all the 52 villages. It is the biggest constituency in the country. It has its challenges like electricity and internal roads, amongst others,” she said.
