BOKO FIRST, UDC LAST
Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader Advocate Duma Boko’s decision to become the face of the coalition 2019 campaign seems to be raising eyebrows among members as they feel there is too much personalisation of the coalition by the leader. Ever since the UDC leader started off his ten-day countrywide campaigns there has been controversy surrounding his campaign style where some within the party feel he wants everything to be about him as the party president. He has even been accused of leaving behind his running mate Dumelang Saleshando for this year’s general elections, or even the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC). In hushed tones, some complain about his application to patent the UDC branding to his name; the use of aircrafts branded and personalized to his name; as well as the recent claims that he wants the coalition to take advantage of former President Dr Ian Khama for political mileage in ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) stronghold constituencies. SOME UDC TOP MEN SOUGHT THE ELDERS’INTERVENTION Those who have been timid to openly show their discomfort with how Boko wants to run things, including prominent figures within the coalition, are said to have secretly enlisted the intervention of the elders associated with the UDC contracting partners. It is for this reason that recently a number of these elders, including Michael Dingake of the BCP and the BNF Veterans structure were seen to openly warn against tainting the opposition coalition culture. This has since divided the UDC as some are happy and have no issue with the way Boko goes about the campaign business, while others believe it could be suicidal. Advocate Boko has since indicated that they do not hate Dr Khama but were, and are still against the BDP-government system. Regarding his running mate Advocate Boko who is also Leader of Opposition in Parliament, has pointed out that Saleshando is busy with the coalition manifesto and would soon be visible. He explained that Saleshando would soon have his own set of wings if the need arises. The UDC will launch its manifesto this week in Maun. There have been unconfirmed claims that Dr Khama might grace the event. There are however fears among contracting partners that his attendance might cloud the focus of the event. UDC members believe the use of Dr Khama to wrestle power especially by unseating BDP in its strongholds might raise the question of credibility or strength by the UDC in such areas. Sources believe that acceptable alignment to the UDC by Batswana might be questionable when the former BDP President is used. However, it seems with determination and hunger to unseat the ruling party Advocate Boko is determined to fight with anything at his disposal. The BDP is putting Dr Khama at arms-length and last week he sought guidance from his subjects during a meeting in Serowe on what he should do with his political life. This development has since annoyed UDC contracting member- Botswana National Front (BNF) Veterans Association. The veterans whom last year called for the BNF to ditch the UDC have expressed disappointment that there could be secret funding from Dr Khama. They are calling for the members of the UDC to condemn and oppose such funding. The veterans have since issued a letter regarding this development. They argue that the funding and endorsement of UDC candidates for 2019 have not been sanctioned by the NEC but are personally the brainchild of the UDC President. THE BNF VETERANS NOT BACKING DOWN This week BNF Veterans Chairman Patrick Kgoadi told The Midweek Sun that they stand by their letter and press statement regarding the influence of external forces in the UDC. This is not the first time that the BNF veterans have expressed their unhappiness at the way their leader is dealing with issues of funding of both the BNF and the UDC. Last year the veterans raised alarm when Advocate Boko took it upon himself to transport delegates to the BNF Conference in Rakops from the 57 constituencies and to take care of other logistics. The veterans expressed concern that the funds were not routed through rightful BNF channels. This week Kgoadi said despite what the UDC leader has been saying in trying to clear the mist they believe they have to meet to further clarify things for the benefit of ‘everyone.’ He said what they are doing should not be seen as an attack on the leadership but doing what principle dictates as per the culture of the BNF. “BNF is the backbone of the coalition and we should be seen to be doing things right. As the BNF we have for many years opposed external funding especially the one that is not routed through rightful party structures. “We do not know what the motive of such funding is because there is always a motive as we have experienced with Botswana Democratic Party! “We will engage our central committee. It is not a question of whether we would be listened to or not but it is all about principle,” he revealed. Kgoadi stated that they are worried about media reports on what is happening to the coalition. “We also want to know if our leadership is still on course regarding the mandate they have in uniting the opposition or now things have changed and the opposition is being torn apart,” he said. The UDC campaign is being led by a South Africa Political Specialist Firm called Status. The company is doing the Public Relations, Branding and Marketing for the UDC by packaging messages to suit targeted audiences. For many this campaign has much focused on Advocate Boko and not much on the coalition project. Advocate Boko recently told UDC members to remain unshaken and put trust in him. He revealed that after the Manifesto launch, people would understand the type of campaign he is unleashing on the BDP. He has since rubbished claims that the campaign is only about him saying the naysayers do not understand his approach and strategy. IT IS REGRETTABLE – MOETI MOHWASA BNF’s Secretary General and UDC Head of Communications Moeti Mohwasa is disappointed that things have turned up this way at the UDC. In his response he said: “It is unfortunate that a structure within the BNF, which knows processes of the party would want to communicate issues through the press. We are not saying there shouldn’t be different views but it has to be done through proper channels. The president is not personalising anything, which is why during the UDC NEC meeting of March 5 2019 Boko briefed them about the helicopters. It is regrettable that we find ourselves in this situation and it has since emerged that some of the veterans are not aware of the media statement. We expect the veterans to lead by example having been there before in some of the BNF structures. On the issue of Khama, he is not a UDC member and remains a BDP member. Our stand is that anyone who wants to help us fight the BDP is welcome to do so. We have worked with other former BDP members; others were even in high positions within the BDP, but they left the party to join us and help us fight the BDP.