10 Nov 2024

Following its first and historic defeat during the recent past general elections, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is engaged in a recuperation strategy to regroup and plan for the future.

Former President and BDP leader, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said he has found it fit to accept the result and move forward.

However, Dr Masisi said the shocking defeat as it was never anticipated, has left many of the party members bruised, a situation that will require serious interventions to heal the wounded and soothe the daunted souls.

Briefing the media during a press conference in Gaborone at Tsholetsa House on Thursday, he said the media engagement followed a central committee meeting which had mapped a way forward.

He said their primary focus would be to engage all party members through the various structures across the country and offer them counselling.

Dr Masisi said the loss was a heavy burden on its members as it was something they never experienced before.

Dr Masisi said it was necessary to engage with the media since he was done with the process of handing over the government reigns to his successor, President Mr Duma Boko, also the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Now, he said, the focus was on rebuilding the party for a strong come back.

He said it was not the first time that the BDP was threatened to loss a general election. Dr Masisi said the BDP nearly suffered a similar feat in 2014, only to be saved by the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) after opting out of the UDC project.

He said the BDP was aware that its members were in pain as a result of the loss. “We will go out there and provide them with counselling. We will get to the bottom of this and build a strong come back. We will be an informed, incisive and impactful opposition,” he said.

Despite the loss, Dr Masisi has applauded Batswana for exercising their democratic right and voting in large numbers.

“Their participation is commendable as everyone must take part in building and nurturing democracy,” he said.

He also thanked the BDP for a job well done, though it was not enough to maintain their grip on power.

“I am satisfied and proud of them despite the challenges we were faced with. There was no cheating, there has never been cheating and it will never be,” he added.

Dr Masisi said the root of their loss could have resulted from the fact that the opposition parties manifestos were more enticing, giving the voter hope of a better future compared to that of his party.

He said the BDP manifesto was guided by the performance of the economy and therefore it was not necessary to promise the people what was not achievable.

“We were hoping for the people to understand the truth that we had placed before their eyes,” he said. Ends