
“Botswana Democratic Party President Mokgweetsi Masisi has levelled serious allegations suggesting that diamond giant De Beers played a covert role in financing efforts to change Botswana’s government during the 2024 General Elections, allegedly due to frustrations over tough negotiations with his administration. Without naming specific figures, Masisi hinted that the deal struck with the opposition came at a cost to Batswana, challenging the UDC to come clean about the compromise and the real price paid in exchange for political backing” (The Parrot News Online, 07.04.2025).
The one who was ousted in Gaborone and lost terribly in the recent election. They are the ones that is now calling the current leadership hostage of the De Beers. The diamond giant of Botswana, which has been in negotiations and talks with the predecessor. Therefore, the BDP should be careful about judging Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) now.
Former President Masisi should be worried about he worked with ZANU-PF ahead of the polls and had them actively working for his campaign. That what hurt him the most, as the ZANU-PF wasn’t a favourable party and neither did, they give him legitimacy to continue the over 50-year legacy of the BDP in Botswana. This is why the UDC overcame BDP.
The former wants the people to lose their incentives and reasons for voting for the opposition. They were supposed to blind sheep without agency or even some sense. The people made a decision, and they were tired of the BDP. The BDP had all these years to reign in De Beers and others, if they wanted to, but they never did.
It is time for Masisi to retire, take it easy and move out of the spotlight. Unless he wants to bury the party and ensure the funeral of the former ruling party. Because his just telling stories and narratives to downplay the victory of the UDC. Secondly, his trying to forge a story, which doesn’t make him look like a loser. That gives weight and indignation that he will be able to return to office. However, that train has gone unless his ego pipes down and he changes his ways.
Botswana moved on from BDP and rightfully so, the arrogance and the entitlement wasn’t a given. The alliances and fellow comrades supporting BDP also hurt it even more. UDC showed character and vast difference. The UDC now has to prove their worth, but the BDP isn’t showing itself as a wise opposition. No, it is just showing itself as a bitter loser and lacking decorum. UDC could easily inquire and investigate the years of BDP reign and how it operated with the De Beers. The BDP doesn’t want this… and we all know that.
Masisi needs to find a new way. He also has to understand the sentiment of the voters and why they voted on someone else as him. Time will tell if he ever gets that, but at the moment right now… I doubt he will get that. Peace.
















