Balopi is one of the few politicians in the country who have enjoyed a spectacular rise in their political careers in the last decade. He was first ushered into the political scene slightly over 10 years ago when he was co-opted as the SG following the resignation of Kentse Rammidi. Balopi would go on to establish himself as one of the most trusted personalities in the ruling party. He later won the 2019 general election in the Gaborone North constituency. He also earned himself a place in Cabinet after the 2019 elections. He, however, resigned from the latter position late last year amid reports that he has been pushed out by President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Dynamics have now changed since he fell out with Masisi. Reasons for the fall out remain vague but Masisi is reportedly rooting for Lesang Magang to take over as the SG. For over a year, Balopi has become a quiet and isolated figure in the BDP. He hardly takes part in key party activities.
This is despite the fact that the SG is considered to be the heartbeat of the party. President Masisi now appears to have appointed his vice and party chairperson Slumber Tsogwane the party’s default SG. Slumbisto as Tsogwane is widely known among BDP diehards is now the party’s poster boy. He has been leading major party activities around the country. Prior to the announcement of the decision not to run for re-election, Balopi appeared to be consolidating and aggressively preparing for central committee (CC) elections. He did not disclose the reasons for not defending his seat. But news that he will sit out of the central committee elections was inevitable to some extent. Without the support of president Massisi and high-ranking party figures, Balopi was going to struggle to make headway in his campaign. Traditionally, it is hard to win against those who enjoy the backing of a sitting president or the party elite (in the BDP).
