IT'S GAME ON!

 

Fresh from the most contested Tati Siding North by-election, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary General, Kentse Rammidi says the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) should not mistake its victory for a sign that the opposition party is fading away.

The by-election, held following the death of UDC councillor Parkie Pius, saw UDC candidate Keitumetse Tlhalerwa retain the seat with 335 votes, ahead of BDP's Kwenzakele Sibunga, who garnered 299 votes.

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) followed with 163 votes, while other candidates shared the remainder.

Speaking to The Midweek Sun after a gruelling campaign trail in Tati Siding North, Rammidi said the result showed that the BDP's rebuilding efforts were beginning to bear fruit despite widespread claims that the former ruling party is politically finished.

'We went to the Palapye Retreat in May under the theme 'Reconstruction After the Storm'. We believe the results we got in Tati Siding North show that we are on course and achieving the intentions of that retreat, against the perception from our detractors that our party is dead. Dead men don't walk,' Rammidi said.

The by-election attracted national attention as political heavyweights descended on the ward. The seat had been won by a single vote during the 2024 General Election, making it one of the most closely watched contests since the UDC took power.

While conceding defeat, Rammidi argued that the contest was not fought on a level playing field.

'Yes, UDC won. All state resources were at their disposal. There were impromptu government department workshops in the ward and a massive presence of cabinet members before the election.

This is something they cannot replicate during a general election. We will match their campaign teams pound-for-pound without external influence,' he charged.

The former Cabinet Minister said the BDP's focus is now on rebuilding party structures and preparing for the next electoral battle.

'We are hard at work rebuilding structures across the country. We are soon going to a constitutional amendments congress before the end of the year. We are renewing our policies. It is work in progress, and democrats are regaining their confidence,' he said.

Rammidi also credited the party's recovery efforts to a willingness to confront past mistakes.

'I believe all efforts directed at unity, repentance from our side and seeking forgiveness where we erred are key to our revival,' he said.

The BDP lost power in the 2024 General Election after nearly six decades at the helm of government. Since then, questions have been raised about whether the party can reinvent itself and regain the trust of voters.

Rammidi remains convinced that the BDP still has a future.

'We are rebuilding as a party because we believe we remain relevant. We built this country from scratch, and we are not fazed by crybabies who cannot do the little requirement of keeping the infrastructure they inherited intact. We left a functioning state. Our programmes were sound, created a middle-class economy and offered opportunities to many.'

He added, 'It's game on. We are refining our policies, correcting where we failed and owning up, while redefining our strategies to reclaim state power. We have unfinished business, and that is achieving Vision 2036.'

Rammidi dismissed suggestions that the bye-election result showed the BDP was still losing support.

'We are absolutely not losing support. We are achieving beyond our expectations after the devastating loss of 2024. Democrats are coming out strong and working hard to rebuild the party. Aluta continua,' he said.

Taking a swipe at the ruling coalition, he accused it of abandoning its founding principles.

'We remain a party of peasants, and UDC has proved nothing but to be a party of the bourgeoisie. They have discarded the BNF minimum programme designed by Dr Koma.

They are just pushing leaders with no vision and have forgotten what their manifesto entailed,' Rammidi fired.

As attention shifts to the 2029 General Election, Rammidi said reconnecting with young people remains one of the BDP's priorities.