20 Jan 2025

Leader  of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says the party will soon embark on a transformative drive of rebuilding itself in order to once again become Batswana’s party of choice.

Dr Masisi said this in Kang on Saturday at the commencement of his regional tour where he will be holding consultations with the party’s regional structures.

Addressing the party’s western region, which comprises Kgalagadi South, Kgalagadi North, Ghanzi and Charleshill, he said to kick-start its journey of transformation, the party would introduce and set up a research wing, which would then undertake a comprehensive research on the state of the party and then make recommendations on the direction that it should adopt in order to remain relevant.

Dr Masisi, who said he was intent on rebuilding the party, noted further that there would also be a fully-fledged party school, one of whose objectives would be to induct those holding positions of leadership within the party’s different structures.

The school he said, would help raise a crop of leaders within the party who would remain patriotic in all circumstancea and who would uphold and maintain a high level of discipline at all times.

Reflecting on the BDP poor showing in the last general elections, Dr Masisi attributed the loss to the fact that Batswana wanted a change to their individual lives rather than politics of stability and continuity, which was the party’ strategy going into the elections.

Expressing optimism that the party would return as the ultimate party of choice and reclaim its seat in the next general elections, he acknowledged that in an effort to initiate and effect the change that was needed, it was of paramount importance that members forgive themselves and each other in relation to how the party fared in the past elections.

Dr Masisi shared that in order to successfully regroup and re-build itself, the party should retrace its footsteps to the founding principles that promoted and held in high regard tenets of volunteerism, discipline and confidentiality.

He noted that although the party had lost, it had left behind a rich legacy particularly with respect to advancing a cause to achieve better livelihoods for Batswana through initiatives such as Temo Letlotlo, free high-speed internet connectivity and access to quality health services.

The BDP leader noted further that at the time of losing elections the party had made considerable strides in areas such as water development and the expedited allocation of residential plots.

He said his government was also driving towards the manufacturing of human medicines through the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI). He however lamented that the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) was more focused on people’s individual gains instead of the wholesome empowerment of the nation.

For his part, BDP Secretary General Dr Lemogang Kwape implored members to familiarise themselves with the party constitution, which he said was created by the founders in recognition of the need to uphold the BDP’s vision and keep alive its spirit of unity.

He also encouraged members to place the spirit of volunteerism at the fore and work for the party to ensure that it succeeds in whatever endeavour it undertakes.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, BDP western region’s regional vice-chairperson Mr Keorapetse Ralehika thanked the party president for initiating the consultations in their region.
Admitting that they were saddened and highly affected by the BDP loss, Mr Ralehika said it was encouraging and comforting though that none of the candidates who represented the party and lost during the 2024 general elections had defected from the party.

He shared that out of the 67 candidates who stood for the elections, only 17 managed to succeed, with eight from Kgalagadi South, four from Hukuntsi, two from Ghanzi and three from Charleshill. Mr Ralehika attributed the loss to hosting primary elections late, adding that Batswana were not pleased with the arrangement. ENDS