This issue was highlighted recently during an event in the Kanye constituencies, where the South West chairperson, Thomas Pema, addressed the party president and its operatives. Pema noted that while some individuals who lost the primaries remain resentful, others have started to reconcile. "We have made attempts to engage with them. However, they still struggle to participate in party activities. As a party, we have not lost hope. We believe that, although some are still upset, they will eventually return," Pema stated. In contrast, Pema expressed satisfaction with the Kanye East constituency, where those who contested against the party’s candidate, Thapelo Letsholo, are now working together after reconciling with the party. A similar situation unfolded in the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency, where Dr Edwin Dikoloti, who ran against Peggy Serame and won, but resigned to become an independent candidate after the party chose Serame ahead of him later slapped him with a suspension.
This decision triggered further resignations from members dissatisfied with the party's choice. During the launch of parliamentary candidate, Dr Lemogang Kwape in Kanye, President Mokgweetsi Masisi acknowledged the discontent amongst some members. "Some of those members are present and willing to re-engage with the party. Unfortunately, others did not attend. I aim to win all these constituencies. Please reach out to them and let’s welcome their return if they decide to come back," he urged. Meanwhile, the BDP electoral board chairperson, Peter Siele, addressed the members, stating: "What we are witnessing in Kanye is not unique; similar situations occur elsewhere. We need a strategy to win back our members and the public. Losing in the primary elections is not the end. I have experienced losses myself but remained committed to the party. We must remember that we joined this party for reasons beyond positions. I believe some are still hurting, but they will eventually return." At the 2022 party national council, former secretary-general, Mpho Balopi, voiced concerns at the Maharaja Conference Centre, advocating for a review of Bulela-Ditswe.
He remarked that, although primary elections promote democracy, they often deepen divisions among members, ultimately impacting the party’s performance. "We must reconsider our approach or make the necessary changes," he suggested. Some of the observations of indiscipline that the BDP had observed during 2019 General Election according to Balopi were; de-campaigning the party candidates, publicly attacking or disparaging the party leadership or other members, openly campaigning for opposition candidates to the detriment of the party, disregarding directions or decisions of the leadership and defying caucus decisions or resolutions. He said even if they had increased the popular vote from 48% to 52% in parliamentary votes and 47% in the local government vote, it is important for the party to be united going forward. In addition, he said the core ideal of the party is ‘therisanyo’. This year, while not explicitly stated, it was evident that the BDP did not want Bulela-Ditswe appeals, as only one out of many appeals for parliamentary seats, was successful. The successful appeal was for Goodhope-Mmathethe, while the rest were rejected.
The party secretary-general, Kavis Kario, noted that some members failed to follow basic procedures when submitting appeals, such as copying the respondent and submitting the appeal to the branch committee. He emphasised: "Our members often underestimate lower structures. They need to understand that the central committee only addresses issues referred by the branch or regional committee. Lower structures are there to handle matters affecting members." This was due to the BDP holding its primary elections late, which left no room for reruns. Even in Goodhope-Mmathethe where a re-run was anticipated, it could not take place because the electoral board stated that it was too late to do so.
