Kavindama�s legacy might work for the BCP
Chakalisa Dube | Friday August 5, 2016 14:45
Arone’s recruitment was no ordinary feat. The constituency is traditionally a BCP stronghold and recruiting someone of Arone’s calibre bears the hallmarks of a breakthrough.
Arone’s defection was widely celebrated by those in the ruling party because it was seen as the major weapon that can help the BDP solidify itself in the constituency and possibly win the 2019 general elections.
But the BCP woke up fast from Arone’s defection, and has come up with a counter strategy.
Current dynamics in the constituency suggest that the BCP is still intact and might easily cruise to victory during the next general elections.
First to the BCP’s favour is the legacy of the late Joseph Kavindama. Kavindama seems to be the main anchor of the BCP’s strength in the area. Kavindama is the first person to win the BCP parliamentary seat under the BCP banner at the 1999 general elections. In 1998 he was among those who formed the BCP after they unceremoniously left the then controversy-ridden Botswana National Front (BNF).
He first became MP in 1984 under the BNF banner. He was MP until he lost unexpectedly to Victor Moruti in the 2004 general elections.
At the time of his death he was confirmed as the BCP candidate for the 2009 general elections. Arone, seen as Kavindama’s choice, replaced him and won the general election.
To the people of Okavango, Kavindama is what the late president Sir Seretse Khama was to the BDP in Serowe, an undisputed icon. To the BCP Okavango is what Serowe is today to the ruling party.
Everywhere you go in the Okavango, Kavindama is celebrated in the same breath, as one would promote their culture.
To the Okavango residents Kavindama represented the epitome of hope for the constituency. He is credited for his unrivaled selflessness and his loyalty to his constituents.
He always went further than what was required of him in serving his people and the party. Kavindama is regarded to have devoted much of his life in strongly advocating for the rights of his people. He even sacrificed of full time employment in order to represent his people.
He is idolised because coming from a minor tribe did not dampen his desire to speak against policies that disregard the interest of his people. “He instilled a sense of belief that one can prosper regardless of his background,” said Kenny Kapinga who was born in Okavango and was also a guest speaker at an event to honour the late politician last weekend.
After the formation of the BCP it was Kavindama who gave the party its first seat at the 1999 general elections. For this reason the constituency feels a sense of allegiance towards him and the BCP.
In addition, resentment towards Arone seems to be growing daily from the majority of people in the constituency. By joining the BDP Arone is viewed as someone who has failed to uphold the ideals, which Kavindama stood for. The mood in the Okavango constituency portrays Arone as the traitor of all traitors.
Those close to the late Kavindama say he loathed the BDP government unconditionally because of its policies, which he considered to be against uplifting the lives of the poor.
Because Arone is seen as a man who has betrayed their icon, the son of the soil, to some extent such propaganda rules out the possibility of the ruling party pulling a Houdini act at the 2019 general elections.
The reported emergence of Kapinga into the race in the 2019 general elections may also frustrate the BDP efforts to win the area.
Though the BCP and Kapinga have shied away from speculation that the latter will represent the party at the general elections sources have strongly maintained the contrary.
Pitted against Arone and Anderson Kambimba who may possibly be the BDP candidate at the general elections, Kapinga possesses greater quality than the two men.
He is a lawyer by profession, has served as an ambassador as well as former deputy police commissioner, all these credentials work to his advantage.
“Kapinga is also someone who speaks the BCP language (on policies) which is the language spoken by many in the Okavango. During his appearance at the unveiling of Kavindama’s tombstone he put strong emphasis on mother tongue education, which the BCP and theb majority of minor tribes want. Such talk presents him as someone who has the interest of the people at heart and may win him votes,” said political and social commentator Ndulamo Morima who feels that the BDP has very limited chances of winning the Okavango constituency.
Morima further said Kapinga indirectly postured himself as someone who can uphold the values embraced by Kavindama, which may win voters to his side.
Morima also said that should the BDP experience infighting at the Okavango primaries the developments will likely work for the BCP as some disgruntled ruling party members might decide against backing their party.
Some BDP members have often been accused of working with the opposition when they are disgruntled especially after the primaries.
Morima said that the only way the BDP can win the constituency is if it fields someone with political muscle and is highly regarded in the constituency.
“I do not see a person who fits that at the moment especially considering that there are strong indications that the BCP may field Kapinga.”