Spencer Mogapi’s diatribe on Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and it’s president Dumelang Saleshando never cease to generate interest and controversy and has now become legendary. 
His abrasive, mercenary (hired guns) styled opinions have all the hallmarks of sangoma exorcising some sorcery on his ‘unknown’ erstwhile political homage. His purported support for UDC could be a decoy for the unsuspecting Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) members who may think he is on their side. He is part of the bandwagon that ill advised the formation of the current umbrella and his continued obsession with BCP is nothing but borne out of personal hate and the embarrassment at the looming plummeting of the so called national project. 
BCP has successfully achieved unity more than any other party in Botswana. Not only is it an epitome of unity but it is also the most unified homogeneous party. It has consistently maintained its desire to work or cooperate with other parties in mutually beneficial and well thought out models. 
After the first round of umbrella talks (U1) broke down it kept its options open to work with other parties willing to consider other viable options. The latest initiative just like that of partnering with MELS falls within the parameters of embracing unity in the broader sense and a viable one as dictated by objective conditions on the ground supported by theoretical, practical imperatives, history and experience. Durable and meaningful unity is crucial but requires appreciation of challenges which militates against any hastily cobbled efforts & could prove counterproductive.
There is no doubt unity is critical as a strategy that will hopefully expedite or at least give impetus to regime change. However this assumption is neither supported by empirical evidence nor research but purely hope and strong believe. Whether without it BDP cannot be defeated is another issue but again the alternative has made unity their Achilles heels so much so that it determines their fate rather than policies and programs, this attitude together with prolonged ambivalence serve BDP more. It is this conundrum, this vicious circle that BCP should avoid its trappings and balance it’s preoccupation with other equally onerous aspects of campaign such as a coherent, stable & well organized party with the psychology of alternative government.
BCP is not party to umbrella (U2) for the very reasons that undermine its credibility which the likes of Spencer, who in his warped logic envisioned it succeeding in spite of clear factors that militated against it and have now manifested into reality.
In my opinion piece in the Sunday Standard of 07/05/12, titled ‘The capitulation of BNF Marxist’, I alluded to issues of the symbol and deregistering the colossal that is BNF among other having the potential to trigger a backlash and negatively affect umbrella. This contention keeps igniting his anger, frustration and ‘jilted lover’ behavior that must be appreciated from his self-edifying standpoint.
There seems to be some crusade that seeks to make BCP feel bad about its good and the visionary leadership. This positivity doesn’t seem to sit well with Spencer and his partners in crime who keep spewing bile each time their ill-informed and ill-conceived predictions that are based on unscientific opinion polls prove futile, further bruising their egos.  This well designed, orchestrated and executed political shenanigans masquerading, as journalists are not helped by Saleshando and BCP success. This has resulted in emotional blackmail that keeps spilling out of professional and ethical parameters. 
All these platitudes Spencer throws at BCP ‘arrogant’, ‘masters of uncouth language’, ‘intimidating’ etc, ironically underlie his very tactics and strategy. What a paradox! It is clear BCP’s methods are working and yielding political dividends as planned and anticipated. 
Spencer should spare us his unsolicited advice and mourn with those he misled under the guise that he is some spiritual godfather. He cannot derail us, will remain vigilant, unrelenting and emboldened to defend and promote that which we believe will deliver regime change. If it means taking hostages or keeping prisoners of those we defeat, we will do so. This is a political war and we will employ strategies that work as long as they do.
Spencer has made many spurious allegations about BCP among them that it has a cartel of the moneyed who hold it at ransom (which he keeps harping) whom he claims are responsible for it not being in umbrella. This from a scribe of his caliber; he ought to prove. Among other things, he accuses the BCP of faking unity, being tribalistic – all without proof and despite evidence speaking to the contrary. In politics, imposition of decisions on general membership more often either implodes or explodes, again it requires no political goggles to discern who are possible culprits of such. He has the audacity to label Michael Dingake snobbish, and turn around to say BCP members are masters of insults, a very deceptive charlatan indeed.
BCP is a living success story of unity, it publicly declared its commitment to unity on any viable models (other than the defunct umbrella), publicly urged its members to vote UDC during Letlhakeng West by election, made its intensions to urge its members to vote UDC at Selibe Phikwe and lately buoyed by Francistown West win, shared its intention at a press conference to explore limited cooperation in less controversial constituencies and discuss any other incidental issues the parties may deem necessary, this would pave way to future talks should the need arise & to Spencer, this warrants unbridled venom & lectures BCP on how to conduct its business. If he attaches any premium to unity, then he must walk the the talk, he must practice what he preaches & desist from fueling division by playing to the gallery thus exacerbating animosities. 
It is not a matter of faith (bad or good) but practicality (even if politically expedient) that Saleshando says what he wants and when he wants, after all BCP is an autonomous entity. It’s simple, we win battles to take full charge and provide leadership. Call it grandstanding; I call it pragmatism and BCP should not be apologetic, fact is we’ve conquered & can’t afford to wobble.
