However, the mood on the ground does not show much eagerness as it was the case before. The enthusiasm that usually fills up the party ahead of the elections for central committee members seems to have gone down this time around.
It is, however, not clear whether this is due to the fact that the dates announced are closer or members are just frustrated and disinterested because their preferred candidates have pulled out of the race. Those who have already pulled out include the current secretary-general (SG) Mpho Balopi, Lesang Magang and Thapelo Matsheka. Normally, key central committee positions that usually attract the interest of members when campaigning include SG, treasurer and chairperson. The team members that seem to have lost interest are the one that support Balopi, Matseka and Magang. As things stand, former minister of Health Dr Alfred Madigele is the only one still interested. “Yes, I am interested in the position,” Madigele said. However, Magang, Balopi and Matsheka confirmed that they would not be contesting. On the issue of the dates, Botswana Democratic Party's (BDP) President Mokgweetsi Masisi told members that the party congress will be held in August this year.
