Khama to bolster BPF ahead of post-election political exit
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday October 2, 2024 09:53
According to BPF officials, Khama will lead the yellow movement on the campaign trail 'as a national campaign manager' to bolster the party ahead of next month’s General Election.
BPF president, Mephato Reatile, highlighted that the ex-president of Botswana who has been in self-imposed exile in South Africa and Eswatini, will say his goodbyes as the party starts its exercise to canvass for votes.
“He will be saying goodbye to us on the campaign trail and in the remaining days before the election, Khama will traverse every constituency to bid his people farewell,' Reatile said, adding that 'until October 30 Khama will still be the BPF patron'.
When embracing the patron’s decision, Reatile told the media this week that they understand Khama was born for the chieftainship role and was only drawn to politics by politicians. He added that once Khama resumes his role as Kgosikgolo he will have nothing to do with politics.
“He will focus on the matters concerning his tribe. This will be his goodbye and you will never hear him saying anything in his capacity as a patron. You will never see him in BPF colours and he will now carry the Botswana flag,” the BPF president clarified.
In terms of Khama’s magic in swaying the votes their way, Reatile said that only Batswana know whether the former president's magic has faded as the patron takes one more ride with them.
“We know that he has a magnet and as he leads the campaigns as a national campaign manager people should know that he has that morale and dignity. When we grew up we heard that he could turn into a fly,” Reatile said.
For his part, Khama reiterated his Serowe comments indicating that he will be focusing on his role as paramount chief on a full-time basis. The former president said he is awaiting Reatile to guide him on how he can assist the BPF in the election campaign. He said after taking over as Kgosikgolo he would start touring the country to greet Batswana because he had been away in exile for so long. He emphasised that as he returns to the kgotla he is aware that dikgosi have that natural following compared to politicians, no wonder the latter are envious. “They look on dikgosi as a threat,” he said.
Khama announced during his homecoming that it was time he took over and was able to meet Bagammangwato everywhere.
“These people are disrespecting and dividing us. I must now take over as Kgosi and try to fix it. It is not nice being outside and hearing things are not going well. I am going to make sure there is peace and unity between all of us. I will be representing all of you and I will be able to go around the country meeting people as Kgosi and also as former president,” he said to ululations.