Masisi bans expensive cars from political rallies
I take out my best cars for big events- Mbulawa
The days of seeing expensive SUVs and flashy sports cars at Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) political activities may soon be over, if party leader Mokgweetsi Masisi had his way.
When speaking at a welcome ceremony of Tonota Member of Parliament- Pono Moatlhodi last Saturday, President Masisi rebuked democrats for showing off their expensive toys in front of the poor masses.
Without mincing his words, Masisi warned democrats to refrain from looking down on fellow party members, while elevating themselves to demi god statuses.
“If you have flashy cars don’t bring them to political gatherings,” said the President to a rousing applause from the BDP faithful.
“We don’t care about your expensive cars, which we’ve got no idea of how you got them,” he said to the appreciative gathering that nodded in agreement.
President Masisi warned that showing off wealth could work against aspiring office bearers, and advised potential candidates to show humility and blend in with the people.
“Your shiny shoes and jewelry is blinding potential voters, and this could work against you,” he warned.
However just two days after the warning by President Masisi, one of Maun’s colourful BDP politician, Reaboka Mbulawa, went to his Facebook wall to share his experiences as someone who has been misunderstood and rebuked for freely showing off his assets. Mbulawa wrote on his post on Monday 31st that mindset change to him meant allowing one to see and live the Botswana dream.
“Most Batswana are extremely scared of affluence and wealth and attachment of evil and witchcraft, a black world to riches and wealth is the only black mindset most people have,” wrote Mbulawa on his wall.
‘The Great Lion of Maun’ as Mbulawa is affectionately known, further revealed that he was once called by a politician, who is also his best friend, complaining about his style of living after he showcased his personal assets.
Mbulawa who is apparently eyeing one of the constituencies in Maun said he has worked hard and that he always ensures he takes out his best cars for big events.
“I never had to live pretending to be among the have nots. I’ve been told one has to take a mediocre car to the public so that people should feel pity and consider you poor. We’ve been programmed to think people dislike the rich and will never vote for a wealthy man,” he said.
Mbulawa said this is the general mindset that automatically makes politicians liars and pretentious.
“I outright refused to live this way my whole political career. I was shunned and threatened and disliked and treated like an alien because I do not like pretending, I consider myself honest to myself and the public. After all I haven’t been involved in any way of enriching myself with anyone’s assets for I started from scratch and suffered through the process,” posted Mbulawa on his wall.
