- President Boko to welcome new members from BDP and BCP
- Mbulawa pegs number of new members at over 1000
- vows to intensify membership drive using his influence in the region
President Duma Boko is expected to welcome former BDP North West region Chairman Reaboka Mbulawa and hundreds other new members to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in Maun tomorrow.
Dubbed The Blue Invasion Rally, tomorrow’s event, the first ever for the UDC in the region since its attainment of state power in the 2024 general elections, is to be held at now popular spot for political events – the Open space near Park View Hotel and will be preceded by a motorcade in the morning before the rally in the afternoon.
Leading the pack of the members to be welcomed into the UDC fold is prominent businessman, Mbulawa – a political heavyweight in the region, resigned from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) which had been his political home for the past 15 years after he was vetted out from contesting in the general elections.
Mbulawa who once served as the BDP’s North West Regional Chairperson then went on to join the Botswana National Front (BNF), one of the contracting parties of the UDC.
Having commanded a large following in the region it was a given that Mbulawa would not leave his former political home alone, but along with a number of followers across the region.
In an interview this week, Mbulawa revealed that they have registered over 1500 members against a target of 1000 members. From this number, 600 are from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) while the rest is from BDP,” he said.
“We are expecting large numbers of people who I will be welcomed together with. But this will depend on our ability to transport them to Maun because some are from as far as Somelo, Phuduhudu and Makalamabedi,” he noted.
Post the Saturday celebrations, Mbualwa said the numbers are expected to increase as the welcome event will proof to many that indeed he has joined the BNF.
“Despite my one-year membership with the BNF, some people still did not believe that I am gone, they said they can only join me after I have been publicly welcomed by the party leadership.”
As former NWDC Council Chairman and former BDP Regional Chairperson, Mbulawa regards himself as more of an asset to the UDC in the North West region.
Bragging about his long-standing influence across the North West Region, the charismatic politician noted, “I do not consider myself a force that is non-existence but an influential one in the region. At the BDP they are still crying because my departure was a big loss and blow to them. But in a democratic set-up you have people making choices at their own accord.”
He says all his influence and track records of achievements add to an element that he has good knowledge of the region and instrumental in its development aspirations.
After suffering both personal and public humiliation at the hand of BDP’s previous leadership, the reception at BNF has been quite warm and welcoming, Mbulawa reminisced.
“Following the distress and injustices I experienced at BDP, I was able to find inner peace because the comrades here brought back my healthy mental status. I have found a political home that has treated me well for the past 12 months a have been with them.”
Asked about his political aspirations at the UDC and whether he will contest for Maun East parliamentary seat, Mbulawa replied that it’s still early to make decision and that only time will tell.
“My intention to join this party was not for positions but only because I subscribe to its principles and goals. I was once asked to stand for the regional chairman position of the BNF but I declined because that was not the reason why I joined the party.”
Mbulawa expressed his confidence in the UDC government noting that it is more focused, futuristic and revolutionary on their mandate to serve its people. He says despite the economic challenges what the UDC has done in a short period of time and their efforts to get more results in different sectors is commendable.
