28 Mar 2023

Former minister of Basic Education, Mr Bagalatia Arone has retraced his steps back to the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

He disclosed his return during a victory celebration for Maun’s Kgosing/Kubung ward councillor, Mr Tswelelo Sebati on Sunday. Mr Arone, who accompanied the party chairperson and Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, told the gathering that he would be contesting for the Okavango East constituency in 2024 and expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious.

The Shakawe native has been busy of late. He first defected to the BDP from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) in 2014, was recently welcomed to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) at a star rally in Maun addressed by party president, Duma Boko, but has now defected back to the BDP.

“I want to clear the confusion as there are many questions as to where I am. Let me start by apologising to BDP members and assure them that I am back in full force and ready to contest for Okavango East in the upcoming elections,” he said.

Mr Arone reiterated that he took his decision for the benefit of the Okavango community and was thus not ashamed of it. He accused opposition parties of making empty promises, hence his decision to rejoin BDP, which he said had a clear direction.

He said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi cared for the Ngamiland community, noting that during his tenure as an MP, all MPs from the region were appointed into cabinet so that they could drive development implementation to push their otherwise lagging behind region.

He regretted that all the MPs lost in the 2019 general elections and hoped that the community would correct that mistake in the coming elections.

Mr Tsogwane welcomed Mr Arone back to the party, saying democrats still wanted him to serve them.

He called on democrats to embark on a recruitment drive to attract opposition members. Mr Tsogwane also appreciated party veterans for their presence at the celebration, saying they should continue providing guidance for the growth of the party as they understood its history.

North West BDP regional chairperson, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa said they had come up with ‘Tsosoloso operation,’ an initiative meant to engage party veterans; bring back lost elders and restore confidence of members ‘from the roots’.

 He also revealed that they were determined to work as a unit and ensure they win all the seven constituencies in the region in the 2024 general elections. Ends