Who wouldnt be relieved to see the back of a man who has been camping on one position for over two decades in the true tradition of hold onto power tightly, forever if possible. His dominance of this position over the years doesnt hold up to democratic interrogation as defined by our western bosses, they argued, and therefore he is good riddance and relief is in order, they further quipped. While relief must have been felt by any mortal, regardless of whether or not they have ever uttered the slogan TSHOLETSA , Im not convinced that it is everyone who saw opportunity in Daniels unsolicited gesture. Lets admit it, when it comes to seeing opportunities the world is full of blind people. Enter Motswaledi and Nkate! Credit is due to the duo for being vigilant and declaring their aspiration to hold the big position. Now that the battle lines have been drawn, the vexing question is who will emerge victories at the forthcoming BDP national congress. You put your head on the block and I will just wonder. Motswaledi is not his own man. For the record, Motswaledi is Kedikilwes man! Their scenario is a classical one of a keen student learning from a master. I bet Motswaledi wouldnt mind to be Kedikilwe. Who in his right mind wouldnt want, for instance, to be the master of the spoken word - the benchmark of political oratory in the land. What of Nkate then, you might ask? I like any man or woman who is intransigent in pursuit of his chosen path to the point of almost being cunning. I like any man or woman who swears by the saying of the end justifies the means. Call him a stubborn seasoned opportunist if you like, I call him a determined opportunity genius. Now, a few facts for you to ponder . At the age when Motswaledi was a mere youth leader, Nkate was a cabinet minister. When he was implicated in a corruption scandal and subsequently took the voluntary resignation route he made no secret of his intention to bounce back stronger and bounce back stronger he did. When he was faced with unenviable task of ordering the demolition of modest shelters belonging to impoverished citizens, he did not flinch and followed his conscience against public opinion crying out for restraint and compassion. Never one to forsake his way, I marvelled recently when true to his form and in his element he pronounced on national television that he was going back on his word and will now embarrass parents and pupils alike if school fees were not forthcoming. What I dont like is that more and more people seem not to like Nkate for the very same qualities that I like him for. Like Nkate would, I stand my ground and wont be swayed in my liking of him. With the BDP national congress imminent, should Nkate be worried by people not liking him? If you would ask me, no would be my answer. I substantiate my choice of answer in 2 parts. It doesnt follow that if people dont like Nkate they wont vote for him. Secondly, it is not a given that if people dont like Nkate they therefore like Motswaledi any better.
Can we now have a look at other qualities that Motswaledi possesses as a matter of fact besides him being Kedikilwes man. No doubt his trump card is his innate ability to converse and make you walk away thinking that he is more enlightened than he really is. He is a master of deliberate misrepresentation. I wouldnt be entirely surprised if he tricks the gullible BDP congress delegates into voting him into power. But in a world where perception is said to be everything who can really blame him. He deserves credit for being a constant presence at events traditionally shunned by elitist and revered by the masses. Here he scores a point against Nkate I conclude. Who can claim not to have ever seen Motswaledi on the wedding or funeral circuit for example! Motswaledi isnt ashamed to be seen wedding or burying the poor. Nkates general love for the high life contrasts with Motswaledis modesty. That much is even discernable from their respective campaigns. When Motswaledi drives to Kasane, Nkate flies to Mahalapye. When Nkate meets with his high powered campaign team in tranquil Shakawe, posh suburbs and top hotels for their regular briefings, Motswaledi and his low powered campaign team settle for his modest dwelling for deliberations. Make no mistake about it, this mammoth BDP battle like all before it will be fought along factional lines. Dont be a fool and believe those who say that they are no more factions in the BDP. Without factions there is no BDP. And as you know factions in the BDP are about other things rather than ideological differences as you might expect. And so Nkates war chest is brimming over with money as I write and Motswaledi is barely able to finance his campaign. Talk about level playing fields! I will tell you what I think is at stake for both contestants for the secretary general position of the BDP. Surely pecuniary benefits arent a motivation for both contestants as this part time position is not salaried. This contest is all about leverage. Nkate sees the position as a stepping stone to bigger things in the near future. For him it is about putting one foot on the staircase of the presidential jet. He is also adamant that this position is exactly what the doctor ordered for him to put a spanner in the palace coup that is currently underway in Ngami to dislodge him from his parliamentary high seat in the next national general elections. Motswaledi isnt stupid. He knows all too well that his chances of being part of the next Parliament are at best close to nonexistent. He is convinced that by availing himself for elections his days on his beloved spot light are excitingly nearer. He is itching to address an impromptu press conference here and another one there. The duos unnecessary and boring side contest gives credence to the widely held opinion that there is no clear favourite in this contest. What eludes me is why one of them cant just be a man enough and call himself David. All considered I have a feeling that Nkate needs this one more than Motswaledi. Nkate can ill afford to lose. A loss will deny him the power to ingratiate himself more with the powers that be for the purpose of getting the nod for the soon to be vacant vice presidential office and be one office away from the big one. A loss for Motswaledi will leave him slightly ruffled but honourable for proving that he has what it takes to challenge the big boys. On a general note, it is most pleasing that this forthcoming election will be attended by a sensible bunch who knows not to throw stones in a glass house. So expect no insult trading during the congress proper and no new political party in its aftermath.
