Speaking to Mmegi in an interview yesterday, BDP executive secretary, Dr. Comma Serema was not certain which issues, Mapisa-Nqakula will address when she comes. She is yet to confirm whether she will honour the invitation. Mapisa-Nqakula is South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister.
“We have started receiving confirmation letters from those invited to take part in the event. We will know the details once she has sent a confirmation letter,” Serema explained.
President Festus Mogae is expected to talk reconciliation and compromise at the BDP Women’s Wing Congress in Kgatleng West.
A party insider told Mmegi yesterday that Mogae will address the congress under the theme: “Tletlanyo le Neelano (Reconcilliation and Compromise)”.
This is a continuation of the party’s last council meeting theme. Mogae is expected to dwell on the peace initiative through compromise started by Vice President and BDP chairman, Ian Khama. Serema said this year’s women’s congress would be the last in which men delegates will vote.
The BDP’s recent congress resolved that the voting rights of men in the women’s congress be taken away for good. Members of Parliament and councillors, irrespective of their gender vote in the BDP Women’s Congress and elections.
“We are hoping that the party’s main congress in July will endorse this motion which was passed by a council meeting,” said Serema.
BDP Women’s Wing chairperson, Botlogile Tshireletso, who has confirmed that she will defend her seat told Mmegi yesterday that she still embraces Khama’s unity efforts. “As BDP women, we are planning to meet Khama over the compromise issue this week, to ensure that we go to the congress and elections a united force.” She agreed that she has heard about lobby lists but she has not seen one.
Party insiders say Tshireletso appears on the lists of the party’s two factions. Some party faithful have warned that this form of confusion could cost Tshireletso a great deal because she is viewed by some as dishonest.
“It is not that she is liked by both camps. She is only using us as stepping stones,” a woman who preferred anonymity retorted. She added that in a political battle, there is no fence sitting. “She must come out of the closet and declare where she stands,” she added.
Besides former cabinet minister Tebelelo Seretse, who is expected to make a last minute announcement about her candidature, Tshireletso faces a challenge from party activist, Catherine Thupayagale.
