For the last twenty years, Botsalo Ntuane has clung with dogged determination to the roller-coaster that is Botswana’s political tapestry.
His political career would be an exciting material for a blockbuster political documentary: Ntuane is a fiery leader of BDP student wing at the University of Botswana. Ntuane graduates from college to immediately become BDP Executive Secretary ÔÇô the youngest in the party’s long history. Ntuane becomes the longest serving BDP Executive Secretary. Ntuane is appointed Specially Elected Member of parliament, a clear reward for his stellar service at party office. Ntuane is a leading protagonist in the ongoing BDP factional wars.
Ntuane snatches a Gaborone BNF stronghold constituency from the clutches of a popular BNF incumbent. Ntuane falls out with President Ian Khama. Ntuane leaves BDP to found Botswana Movement for Democracy. Ntuane is Leader of Opposition. Ntuane leaves BMD to rejoin the BDP.
The latest addition would go: “Ntuane thinks of becoming BDP Secretary General, following on the footsteps of his political mentor and hero, Daniel Kwelagobe but cannot seem to make up his mind. Time is running out and he does not seem to be exactly in control of events.”
It is a long and illustrious career that has also had a fair share of misfortunes.
And from the look of things it looks pretty much unfinished.
For the last few weeks most talk inside the Botswana Democratic Party has been about Botsalo Ntuane.
Many BDP members want him for the position of Secretary General.
Surprisingly, for someone wanted for such a hefty position, Ntuane has made a few headlines.
He has also not been forthcoming, preferring instead to play his cards close to his chest.
To his sympathizers, his strategy, correctly interpreted as indecision has been most irritating.
“For him not only is he trading a thin line, it also is a make or break moment,” said an associate of his.
Already quite a number of BDP members are beginning to get frustrated with his indecision.
Also not well received has been a perception that he is deferring his decision to President Ian Khama.
But still Ntuane has kept everyone guessing: Will he stand? Or will he not stand?
Those who have held meetings with him on the subject of his stance have left those meetings no closer to being clear on his intentions. “It can be both annoying and frustrating,” said somebody who attended one such meeting.
Ntuane knows very well that he is on demand. But there are those who think his decision to basically kowtow to the President almost to the point of begging to stand is out of synch with the mood of the party.
This may be a fair analysis.
But there is a history to it.
Ntuane and Khama have always had a tempestuous relationship.
And since rejoining the BDP, Ntuane has been working hard at improving relations, almost to the point of endearing himself to the President.
He wants to bounce any big decision with the President lest he is once again perceived as defiant.
While Ntuane is well aware of the growing demand for his skills, certain things have remained out of his control.
First and foremost is that President Ian Khama has so far not hinted whether he will approve or disapprove of Ntuane dislodging Mpho Balopi, the current Secretary General, who while unpopular within party structures, remains an associate of the President.
Secondly, the still unfolding list of candidates for the top spot of party National Chairman has made it difficult for Ntuane to make a distinct choice of who he really would be backing.
“There is also the fact that at a personal level Ntuane really lacks enthusiasm for the current BDP. This is not the same BDP that he joined. And worse there have not been any substantive changes since he left the party in protest. He is no longer able to talk about BDP policies in the same way that he did.” said a close observer. If this is true then it would mean that Ntuane is a disappointed politician but also a troubled soul.
There is yet another element to it all.
A consummate strategist and intellectual of note, Ntuane can also be an unblemished attention seeker.
All the three candidates for BDP Chairmanship (Ndelu Seretse, Tebelelo Seretse and Tshekedi Khama) want him on their respective lists for the position of Secretary General. For the first time in many years Ntuane feels he is back where he belongs ÔÇô kingmaker.
“To see all these big names running around and fighting for his attention is for him a reward enough, much more important to him than becoming Secretary General,” said a friend who recently had a chart with about his intentions.
But there is also an element of fear in him. Those who talked to him lately say he is abnormally aware that this is his last chance in politics.
He knows what a blow to his career prospects standing for Secretary General and losing will ultimately have.
“He has been very cautious. Ntuane will never want to see himself become expendable. He says if he stands for the position of Secretary General and he loses then his future in politics is f****d. This has meant that he has to be sure that if he stands he will win,” said a friend, who like Ntuane lost a constituency in October General Elections against the backdrop of a buoyant Umbrella for Democratic Change.
There is another side to it.
Ntuane has always had a difficult relationship with Ian Khama, not least because of his unconcealed ambition but also because, as a member of the President’s inner circle puts it this week, the president has always deemed him not a team player. “We are aware that he has recently written a letter to the President on his prospects of standing for Secretary General,” said a cabinet minister. “As far as I am aware there has been no reply to him. And it’s likely to stay that way to the end,” he added.
There is also a history to it. For some especially those in cabinet orbiting around the President, memories of Ntuane bolting out of the BDP to form Botswana Movement for Democracy means that he is still a chief perpetrator of the ills currently eating at the BDP, which in many ways have emboldened the opposition.
“Whatever becomes of him, the tragedy of Ntuane’s career is that he will always be remembered for bringing the BDP on its knees. That is what he always be remembered for and it pains him,” said the same minister.
