Bruce Nkgakile dumps BDP

Three weeks ago, controversial Bruce Nkgakile revealed in an interview with The Midweek Sun that come rain or shine, he would stand for parliamentary elections in Mogoditshane. It was a curious revelation then, as it was already known that his political home, the Botswana Democratic Party, had already identified Tshepang Mabaila to represent them at parliamentary level for the 2019 general election. He however stated in an unequivocal tone then, that he could be standing under the ticket of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Yesterday, on the occasion of his party leader Ian Khama’s 65th birthday, the BDP received a letter from him dated February 26, which contained a one-sentence line declaring his resignation from the party. “I hereby notify your office of my termination of my membership with the above mentioned organisation; Yours; Bruce Leonard Nkgakile; Mogoditshane Constituency,” the letter read. There was neither an attempt to state reasons, but Bruce has been public saying the BDP was no longer the party he knew when he joined, adding that he no longer believed in some of the policies of the party. He said upon his resignation that he had decided it was time he stopped associating with things he did not believe in.

He further asserted that he was ready for anything that would come his way as a result of jumping ship. The controversial figure that he is, he has made his mark in politics, business and has been implicated in a few money scandals. Most recently, he was reportedly kicked out of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Youth executive committee following an accusation of “theft.” In his recent interview with this publication, Nkgakile revealed he had plans to stand in Mogoditshane in the upcoming general election. “I will stand, even if it is under the UDC ticket. If they approach me, I will go on board,” he insisted then. His politics, he said, was not about the stomach or ideology but about serving people.

“I love doing my bit for my community. I won’t be standing out of hunger but a genuine desire to serve people,” he said then. With the Alliance for Progressives already represented by Sedirwa Kgoroba, and the BDP by Mabaila, it is not surprising that he has chosen to stand under the UDC ticket. Prior to the defection of Kgoroba, the BMD were the custodians of the constituency under the UDC, and although he could not confirm it, it is widely believed he will join the BMD so that they field him as their candidate under the UDC. There had been talk before of the UDC giving the constituency to the BCP to field Tumiso Rakgare, but BMD President Sidney Pilane came out clear to say no such thing was going to happen.