The race to succeed Mokgweetsi Masisi as BDP President gets interesting and more unpredictable by the day.
While it is widely known that big guns in Slumber Tsogwane, Mpho Balopi and Dorcas Makgato as well as lesser known Dr Maxwell Nhlatho have thrown in their names, former BDP Executive Secretary Ame Makoba has also joined the race.
To many, he is a dark horse.
Makoba however informs Botswana Guardian that he fancies his prospects of success against his more illustrious opponents because he is equipped with the skills set, experience of party structures from lowest level and the energy for a time such as this one.
A product of University of Botswana student politics, Makoba started his leadership within BDP structures at GS-26, a cell of the party based at the University of Botswana. He would rise through the ranks including serving as Gaborone Central Branch Secretary and also in several sub-committees of the Central Committee such as the renowned PEEC.
Perhaps his most prolific service to the Party was when he served as Executive Secretary, a CEO position within the party office, where he was responsible for implementing party programmes and
decisions of the Central Committee.
Many within the BDP believe that Makoba is former President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s “young and fresh” blued-eyed boy. This comes in light of his announcement of candidature and Masisi’s earlier call for “young and fresh” leadership.
Asked about this, Makoba answered, “I do not belong to anybody and nobody belongs to me. Just like my membership of the BDP. My decision to stand is my own.”
He however goes on to say that the person who spurred him on in his decision to stand is fellow BDP member Phillip Molobe, a member of PEEC, as well as several of his other contemporaries.
“I believe that for Domkrag to survive in this changed times, it must change and be seen to be a party that accommodates people with ability and talent,” he says.
“BDP should not continue to be deemed to be a Party of the elite, as many view it these days. The Party has an opportunity to renew itself and demonstrate to be a potential home for all Batswana of all backgrounds who want to contribute to its values of Democracy, Development, Self- Reliance, Unity and Botho,” he added.
Makoba appreciates the role played by all his other competitors who have had time to serve in Cabinet, Parliament and in the Party Central Committee, but argues that the demographics and needs of the day have changed and that they may no longer be at their best.
He argues that he is the right man for a time such as this one as he may wield cross-generational appeal. The BDP Congress is scheduled for July 2025 in Maun.
While it is widely known that big guns in Slumber Tsogwane, Mpho Balopi and Dorcas Makgato as well as lesser known Dr Maxwell Nhlatho have thrown in their names, former BDP Executive Secretary Ame Makoba has also joined the race.
To many, he is a dark horse.
Makoba however informs Botswana Guardian that he fancies his prospects of success against his more illustrious opponents because he is equipped with the skills set, experience of party structures from lowest level and the energy for a time such as this one.
A product of University of Botswana student politics, Makoba started his leadership within BDP structures at GS-26, a cell of the party based at the University of Botswana. He would rise through the ranks including serving as Gaborone Central Branch Secretary and also in several sub-committees of the Central Committee such as the renowned PEEC.
Perhaps his most prolific service to the Party was when he served as Executive Secretary, a CEO position within the party office, where he was responsible for implementing party programmes and
decisions of the Central Committee.
Many within the BDP believe that Makoba is former President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s “young and fresh” blued-eyed boy. This comes in light of his announcement of candidature and Masisi’s earlier call for “young and fresh” leadership.
Asked about this, Makoba answered, “I do not belong to anybody and nobody belongs to me. Just like my membership of the BDP. My decision to stand is my own.”
He however goes on to say that the person who spurred him on in his decision to stand is fellow BDP member Phillip Molobe, a member of PEEC, as well as several of his other contemporaries.
“I believe that for Domkrag to survive in this changed times, it must change and be seen to be a party that accommodates people with ability and talent,” he says.
“BDP should not continue to be deemed to be a Party of the elite, as many view it these days. The Party has an opportunity to renew itself and demonstrate to be a potential home for all Batswana of all backgrounds who want to contribute to its values of Democracy, Development, Self- Reliance, Unity and Botho,” he added.
Makoba appreciates the role played by all his other competitors who have had time to serve in Cabinet, Parliament and in the Party Central Committee, but argues that the demographics and needs of the day have changed and that they may no longer be at their best.
He argues that he is the right man for a time such as this one as he may wield cross-generational appeal. The BDP Congress is scheduled for July 2025 in Maun.
