Rasesa By-Election: Voters Need More Than Just A United Opposition

Monitor Editor | Monday February 13, 2017 16:12

Perhaps this is good as a reminder to all singers of opposition cooperation, that the cooperation or unity alone cannot guarantee Government for the united opposition come 2019. They will need more than just the mere talk of opposition unity.

 The quality of candidates is one factor that will have to be considered seriously when pitting strength against the might of the incumbent.

Tangible solutions to the everyday problems faced by Batswana will also have to be delivered in a clear and convincing fashion to the voter and not just bombastic rhetoric that already assumes victory is certain.

The voter cannot be taken for a ride, for the voter sees through all the fault lines, able to read the weaknesses or strengths to his or her advantage.

There is no denying that on the eve of the Rasesa ward bye-election, the united opposition faced a problem very much similar to the one Domkrag faced in Palapye a fortnight ago when they lost the Madiba ward by-election- the problem of internal bickering and sabotage by one’s own.

The Rasesa council ward by-election perhaps came too soon or coincided with the unfortunate atmosphere that is currently bedeviling the united opposition since the BCP was accommodated into the unity.

The instability in the UDC appears to be heading for a long bumpy ride as the protagonists involved in the plot are not mere lightweights, but highly influential characters whose behaviour can make or break the united opposition dream.

For the BDP forces however the performance at Rasesa has also taught them that if they engaged less in factional wars and focus on the bigger picture, even a united opposition can be survived.