- The organization had a meeting with the BCP yesterday
- Both agreed his remarks were prejudicial and divisive
KAGO KOMANE
Regional Chairman of Lentswe la Batswapong, Oriah Phukula, says they have accepted an apology from Phagenyana Phage and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) following remarks about Batswapong Phage made during a UDC political rally in Molepolole recently.
Yesterday (Monday) the two organizations released a joint statement saying Lentswe la Batswapong had officially accepted the apology after the “BCP unreservedly apologized to all Batswapong and Batswana for the utterances made by one of their members and Mmopane former councilor Phagenyana Phage at a UDC rally in Molepolole recently.”
Phage had publicly said during the rally that Bangwato hire Batswapong as professional wailers at their funerals, a statement that some members of his party tried to pass off as a joke, much to the dismay of the Batswapong who expressed their outrage on social media demanding that they be issued an apology.
“The party and Phage regret the perturbation, pain and discontent the remarks have caused not only to Batswapong but to other Batswana. The two organizations agree that the remarks were prejudicial, potentially divisive and therefore unfortunate. Pursuant to its track record and policy documents on tribal equality and related issues, the BCP undertakes to further conscientize its activities and Batswana to be more sensitive on issues which may polarize us as a nation and or prejudicial to other groups,” the statement reads in part.
Speaking to The Botswana Gazette, Phukula confirmed that they have accepted the BCP, as well as Phage’s apology. He said they had a meeting with the BCP on Monday, following a written letter they sent to the party last week expressing their discontent at Phage’s remarks.