Last week, Basco Student Movement for Democracy (BSMD) was officially launched at the University of Botswana (UB).
Although attendance was low, the university students were elated by the presence of some BMD leadership: Gilbert Mangole, Kabo Morweng and Ndaba Gaolatlhe.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) minister of Sports, Jacob Kelebeng, claimed that the defection to BSMD was brought about by BMD’s interim chairman Gomolemo Motswaledi’s ‘expulsion’ from BDP.
“Students don’t like BDP, 1st year students need to know BMD has arrived,” he declared.
Kelebeng said that they had received very little support from the Ministry of Education ever since assuming office last year April.
In a separate interview with The Telegraph after the rally, Kelebeng explained that some of President Khama’s actions have backfired on the nation.
“The alcohol levy was not necessary; you can’t combat the problem by increasing the price of alcohol, people will continue to buy alcohol and this only makes people poorer. Why not introduce an alcohol program that is educative?”
The BMSD also accused President Khama of meddling with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) and the world football governing body, FIFA.
The University of Botswana Congress of Democracy and the Botswana National Front (BNF) Mass representative delivered speeches all urging opposition parties to work together.
“Khama is dragging his father’s party into the dirt,” said Richard Khumoekae of the BNF Mass.
