Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his campaign team have only five months to convince democrats that his declaration of being ready to take over the presidency from Ian Khama is not a fluke. He has to navigate a tough terrain marked by a tight 2017 schedule for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), parry opposition from within and outside his party and win over the support of the masses while glued on the ultimate prize – The Presidency. Elected party chairman against widespread challenge from no less than five contenders in Mmadinare in 2015, Masisi will have to defend his position in July at the national congress in Tonota. It is only after stamping authority by crushing opposition that he will be assured of replacing Khama at State House in just over a year. Khama steps down in April 2018. Masisi is no stranger to dissent and rejection, having tasted it in Mmadinare. Although the Khama magic made life easier for Masisi then, political observers are in agreement that he has graduated from piggy-bagging on his master's goodwill. Hence his confidence to declare that "Unless I die or get incapacitated by ill-health, come 1st of April 2018 I will be sworn…