Disgraced BDP to apologise to Bangwato and lure Khama back

The newly elected 6th president of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has affirmed his intention to engage with former President Seretse Khama Ian Khama to forge reconciliation. “I will definitely engage with Khama as the former president of the country and of the BDP,” Balopi told a press conference on Tuesday, where he laid out his plans for the party.He dismissed speculation about a supposed agreement to serve only one term before handing over to Tshekedi Khama, stating firmly: “I don’t want to be a one-term president. I want to serve all terms. Anyone who wishes to be party president will have to contest, the same way I did.”Balopi also acknowledged the need for reconciliation, expressing the party’s willingness to seek forgiveness from Batswana: “Batswana ba re otlhaile, re utlwile.” He added that they would visit the Gamangwato Kgotla to apologise to Bangwato and their Kgosikgolo.Balopi declared that moving forward, the BDP’s guiding principle will be a legacy of service and a vision for reform, asserting that the party must become a responsible opposition after ruling the country for 58 years.“We will be responsible for the good, the bad, and the ugly of this country,” he said.Balopi announced the formation of Central Committee sub-committees, aimed at strengthening the party’s internal structures. These are the Political Education Committee, which will establish a virtual party school, supported by curriculum developers to build ideological capacity.The Elections Committee will set up an electoral board to ensure timely preparations for internal elections. Communications and Public Relations Committee, Strategy and Reforms Committee, International Relations Committee, Finance and Fundraising Committee, and National Organising Committee.All these committees will be coordinated by the Secretary General, with support from regional secretariats. Additionally, Balopi introduced a Portfolio Committee structure, akin to a shadow cabinet, to be spearheaded by him under the Central Committee.These include; Labour, Home and International Affairs secondly Agriculture and Food Security, thirdly Rural Development, Culture and Traditional Affairs, fourthly Finance, Research and Economic Development, fifthly Trade, Industry and SMME Development as well as Governance, Ethics and Justice also Infrastructure Development followed by Land Management and Distribution as well as Defence, Safety and Intelligence also Health and Wellness followed by Education and Skills Development as well as Energy, Minerals and Water Resources followed by Technology and Innovation as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (covering youth, women, and people living with disabilities) and lastly Tourism and Environmental Affairs.Balopi also revealed the party calendar of events, which includes an inaugural conference of elders, a constitutional amendment to reduce presidential powers, a National Council to review the amended constitution, as well as youth and women’s league elections, which were initially supposed to take place before the Central Committee electionsOn the inclusion of Dorcas Makgato as an additional member of the Central Committee despite losing the chairmanship race, Balopi defended the move, describing her as a woman of substance and character.The other additional members appointed to the Central Committee are Bernard Kenosi, Tshepo Makgalemele, Odirile Motlhale, and Orefitlhetse Masire.

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Disgraced BDP to apologise to Bangwato and lure Khama back