BMD factions reconcile
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Political factions that used to cause ripples in the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) have subsided their activities and closed ranks to guard against Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi’s now frequent incursions.
Up until three months back BMD was split up by two warring factions; one under the control of party President, Ndaba Gaolathe and his deputy Wynter Mmolotsi, while the other centre of power was helmed by party chairman, Nehemiah Modubule and secretary general, Gilbert Mangole. Some insiders say this could just be a temporary truce to deal with Masisi recruitment within the BMD.
Gaolathe and Mmolotsi mostly had the backing of BMD parliamentarians while the Mangole and Modubule axis generally had the backing of the large BMD central committee. Gaolathe and his team wanted a special congress this year, and it is evident that it will not happen. Some say but of the deal, allegedly brokered by former conveners of opposition talks was to call off the debate on the special congress.
In August the BMD National Executive Committee (NEC) dismissed calls for a special congress arguing that proper process was not followed in the request. Modubule was quoted in the media as stating that the letters written to trigger the special congress were questionable and that there were not accompanied by minutes from the constituencies.
However, on Thursday Mmolotsi and Mangole held a joint press briefing in a rare public show of unity not seen in well over 12 months. The two leaders conceded that the factionalism that used to rile BMD might actually be a contributing factor to the mass exodus of youths currently rocking BMD.
Mangole, who is also Member of Parliament for Mochudi East further noted that reconciliation is a step by step process that takes time. For the entire duration, Mangole kept referring to Mmolotsi as “my VP.”
He however stated that while they have their own differences, the calm that has been reigning in the party lately is testament to the thawing of relations between the two factions.
Since last year BMD has been losing its regional youth leaders and ordinary members to the BDP as a result of Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi’s spirited recruitment campaign from the opposition parties.
Most of the defectors have been coming from the two Molepolole constituencies which fell into opposition hands for the first time in 50 years, in the 2014 general election.
In the ensuing frenzy, BMD lost youth wing leaders such as former treasurer general, Anderson Mathibe and his deputy as well as its National Organising Secretary, Gomotsegang Karabo.
The now infamous Karabo, who is an orator of note, was this week implicated as the mastermind of botched recruitment activities of BMD’s two councillors and two Francistown youths who hold party positions in their region.
The four BMD youth leaders who somersaulted at the last minute related that, in the heavily moneyed recruitment drive that spanned Molepolole, Phakalane and the Junior State House to Francistown, money was no object.
They related that their meetings with Masisi and his men either took place in hotels, restaurants or his state residence where they gobbled down grilled chicken and ordered to pick anything off the menu. They further stated that when they parted, sometimes in the small hours of the morning after a night of negotiations, they would each be gifted either P300 or P400.
Omphemetse Demana from Francistown stated that she was told “not to walk in the sun” and transport was duly arranged for her, in the form of a big double door bakkie to meet Masisi at Marang hotel in Francistown.
She was further wired transport money via e-Wallet service to come to the capital to be welcomed into the party. The Francistown duo stated that they were on the brink of being whisked to the mall where they were to be dressed in red party colours at expensive stores, for last week’s BDP press conference, when Mangole intercepted their exit.
Mangole however stated of Masisi’s BDP: “The factional wars within the BDP are so intense that the faction leaders do not trust fellow party members. They would rather entrust their campaigns with activists recruited from the opposition. The BMD is particularly the target because BDP warring faction leaders apparently all agree that with the BDP split, hardworking cadres relocated to the BMD and they desperately need them back to fight their factional wars. The now lavishly living Karabo is actively recruiting for the Vice President’s faction.”
Mangole further stated that a plot to “annihilate and dismantle BMD is in place as it is believed to have played and continues to play a pivotal role in the opposition collective”.
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Malawi appeals for help over Cyclone Freddy at PAP
As of yesterday evening, the death toll from the Cyclone in Malawi had risen from the initially reported 190 to 225 in a short period of time, over 20 000 people have been displaced, and the worst of fears are yet to come as the fatalities continue to mount. This was reported by a Malawi Member of Parliament attending the Pan African Parliament session in Midrand, South Africa, Hon Steven Mikiya.
Mikiya was giving a statement on behalf of Malawi as the ongoing Pan African Parliament in South Africa.
Mikiya said the Cyclone has wreaked the most havoc in our country’s Southern Region. “The Southern Region, has been hardest hit with widespread heavy rains and strong winds. This caused a rapid rise in water levels and subsequent flooding. Meanwhile, power supply has been disrupted, roads blocked off and rendered impassable and mudslides have also been widely reported,” he said.
He made a special appeal to the PAP: “Where I come from, there is a parable which I would like to share with you which says, “mzako weniweni umamudziwa panthawi ya mavuto.” Simply put, a friend in need is a friend indeed or put loosely, a person who helps at a difficult time is a friend you can rely on.”
Mikiya continued: “Yes! Misfortune has knocked on our door and left in its wake a trail of death and destruction that may take years to fully recover from. However, amidst these difficulties, I have every reason to believe that sometimes when you are in a dark place and think you have been buried, you have actually been planted. My belief, Mr. President, arises out of my faith in this gathering and out of the conviction that it is not coincidental that Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi and Mozambique while the delegations of both countries are here.”
According to Mikiya, the level of destruction, the loss of life, property and the decimation of the entire fabric of established communities has been unprecedented. He noted that all this, is coming at a time when Malawi was starting to show signs of recovery from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that also came hard on the heels of Cyclone Ana and Cyclone Gombe that left a similar trail of devastation and destruction in Malawi and neighbouring countries.
As of Sunday, this week, from the 12th of March, Malawi and Mozambique have been facing the devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy that made a landfall over Mozambique on Saturday the 11th and reached Malawi by Sunday the 12th of March.
The Malawi legislator said he has absolute faith in the Pan African Parliament, which he described as “a league of nations brought together by a shared ancestry, history, identity as well as our beloved continent which we inhabit”.
Meanwhile, Malawi President, Lazarus Chakwera, has declared a State of Disaster in the affected areas effectively appealing for local and international support for the affected families.
Mikiya appealed to the Pan African Parliament drawing “positive” inspiration from Europe which rallied around Turkey after the destructive earthquakes to bring the much-needed relief and humanitarian aid to the people of Turkey.
He said Africa should demonstrate to the world that the African Union and its Organs are not mere talk shows, but effective institutions which stand up when it matters most.
“Alone, it may take us a lifetime to fully recover, but together, in the Pan-Africanist spirit of Ubuntu, our lives and livelihoods will return to a semblance of normality in record time. This is the time to live by our operative mantra, “One Africa, One Voice.” Mikiya concluded.