Opposition Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has since losing power in the October 30 general election been experiencing a wave of resignations across its rank and file and some holding positions.
There have been some dissenting voices since the embarrassing performance of the party at the polls, calling for those in leadership – especially party President Mokgweetsi Masisi to take responsibility for the loss and step down
This week, the Party’s secretary general Kavis Kario announced his resignation from his position in the Central Committee, after long time party’s Treasurer Satar Dada also announced that he would not be seeking re-election when his term come to an end.
Other notable resignations from the party’s leadership also include BDP Youth Wing Chairperson, Collen Mochotlhi, Vice Chair of the Labour Committee, Raymond Malinga along with seven members of the party’s National Executive Women’s Wing Committee. Reports are the party’s deputy treasurer Jagdish Shah is also on his way out of the party.
The party rank and file is blaming Masisi for the BDP’s crushing defeat that led to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) assuming power, ending the party’s 58-year rule. Among their grievances, they cite Masisi’s poor and centralised leadership, delayed and chaotic primary elections, failure to adhere to inner party democracy all leading to its embarrassing loss.
Despite the mounting pressure, Masisi has blatantly ruled out immediate resignation, but assured that he will not be seeking reelection and is not coming back as the party’s president in 2029. It however appears the likes of Kario, Dada and others could not handle the pressure and the embarrassment of the BDP’s loss.
“I would like to apologise to members of the BDP and the people of Botswana for my part in leading the Party to its first electoral loss since 1965 thereby interrupting a 58-year legacy of government bequeathed to us by Seretse Khama, Quett Masire and other founders of the BDP,” he the secretary general expressed regret.
Accepting responsibility for the BDP’s loss, Kario added, “The voters have pronounced clearly that our leadership both in the Party and in government did not inspire hope for a better living nor provide the desired guidance to our nation in its present shape or form.”
These resignations that have plagued the BDP after the elections add to those of other prominent members including the likes of former North West Regional Chairperson, Reaboka Mbulawa, Warona Mosielele, Oaitse Prince Khang, Ntlotlang Mathe, Tjiurisa Hevita among many others. Many more resignations from disgruntled members are reportedly looming sending shock waves to the BDP that has now fallen down to become the minority party after only securing four parliamentary seats out of the total 60.
Just like his party president, Kario believes that the path for BDP to reclaim government will not be without hurdles and requires dedicated young professionals who can resonate with the youthful voter of now. “We need a young and vibrant leader in 2029, I won’t come back as party President in 2029”, Masisi also said earlier.
As the BDP heads for an elective national congress in July next year, there is however reports that some of the party members who were not Masisi’s favorite during his tenure are now positioning themselves to lead the party’s recovery path and prepare for the 2029 general elections.
