- Khama’s no show disappoints followers!
Although what was supposed to be their mega political event in Maun became a flop, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) says it is pleased that it has made political inroads in the area and continues to grow in numbers ahead of the upcoming general elections.
On Wednesday morning, the party’s patron and former president, Ian Khama failed to show up for the launch of their only parliamentary candidate in Maun, Molatedi Molato of the Maun East constituency under unclear circumstances much to the disappointment of BPF members and his ordinary die-hard followers who were looking forward to seeing him.
While Molato cited security concerns as reasons for Khama’s failure to attend the launch, his colleague, Baphothulodi Kgari who is the party’s council candidate for Matlapana-Shorobe however cited an emergency as the reason, noting that the former president had to rush from Maun to Gaborone to attend to some matter.
“He called and informed us that he has an emergency, he is rushing to Gaborone because there is something that he is going to do there,” Kgari said in an interview.
Some BPF critics however took to social media speculating that Khama might have backed out due to low turnout as there were reports that he had earlier came to where the event was supposed to be held (Phatsimo Grounds) apparently making an assessment before it was abruptly postponed.
But Kgari was pleased with the turnout of fans something which he says is indicative of party’s growth in the region.
“We were not surprised to see so many people because these are the numbers that we were expecting,” said Kgari who added that many from areas such as Shorobe-Matlapana were also yet to arrive.
Kgari indicated that BPF council candidates alongside their parliamentary candidate, Molato are busy working the ground and making inroads in an effort to secure a win come October 30, 2024 when Batswana head to the polls.
“BPF in Maun has not been strong as in other areas but looking at today’s attendance it shows that the party continues to grow,” he noted.
Some of those who flocked the area were elderly people who said they wanted to see former president after his 3-year long exile in neighboring South Africa. “I came here to see our former president because he has long gone. I am not a BPF follower neither am I here for politics but I just want to see him,” said one elderly woman who was left disappointed by Khama’s no show.
BPF leadership has since apologised to its followers about the postponement of the much anticipated political event assuring that another date for it will be set in due course. The party has fielded only one parliamentary candidate in Maun (Maun East constituency) and council candidates across all the three constituencies in areas including Chanoga-Samedupe, Thito-Bombadi, Sehithwa, Boro-Senonnori, Shashe, Somelo, Boseja Central, Boseja South-Matshwane, Boseja North, Makalamabedi, Matlapana-Shorobe and Moeti.
