Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) on Monday welcomed 717 new members from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party from Lentsweletau-Mmopane constituency.
New Members joined UDC under the Botswana National Front (BNF) ticket while former Member of Parliament for Lentsweletau-Mmopane, Moeng Pheto, joined the movement under the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) ticket.
The new members confirmed that they were Bulela Ditswe casualties.
Representing the new members, Tebogo Lenao from Gakutlo-kopong west said they left the BDP after the controversial party primaries in 2013 and remained with no party until they decided to join the UDC under the BNF ticket recently.
“We rallied behind Pheto before the general elections and we did assure the nation that we will secure a political home after the general elections. We are here today because we decided to be part of the combined opposition parties. We are here to make sure that UDC is in power in 2019. We have four years to prepare for the 2019 general elections; we take blame for delaying the UDC from taking over the government.”
The President of Umbrella for Democratic Change Duma Boko said moving out of Botswana Democratic Party doors means freedom from slavery.
He said out of 167 countries, Botswana is ranked number 18 in the Global Slavery index, a sign that slavery exists in Botswana.
“This shows that Botswana is nearing slavery. We leave in times where slavery is just around the corner.”
“We have realised that leaders of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party understand the situation we are in. The likes of David Magang wrote books and they will continue writing to show the nation that we are on the wrong road with the BDP.”
Boko said although the members of the ruling BDP are opposition opponents, they (members of the BDP) are not shy to clearly voice out their grievances and the wrongs that the Botswana Democratic Party is doing.
“When members come forth to condemn their own party it is a sign that we are on the right path and when members of other political parties decide to join the Umbrella for Democratic Change, we can only be thankful.
This is a sign to those who are in power that times have changed, we are friends with some of them and we know they are not happy because they cry onto us. They will never rest under the BDP and we can only assure them of refreshing times when they join the UDC.”
Boko said his party is expecting new members across all political parties.
