This is the question in many party members’ minds in view of the recent heated public spats regarding the anticipated amendments that will see the downsizing of the central committee, and the charges of the “changing of the goalposts” in relation to nominations.
Opponents of the envisaged amendments, such as the party youth wing leader Gabriel Kanjabanga and national deputy president Kopano Lekoma, are of the view that “these are meant to shut out some targeted individuals from the central committee”.
However, the party’s secretary general Akanyang Magama says such fears are unfounded. He explains that the current nomination arrangement, in favour of a consolidated list as opposed to nomination from the floor, was recommended by the party’s consultative Leadership Forum at its March meeting in Palapye. The rationale behind this, he says, is that the proposed system is less cumbersome and less time-consuming. The forum comprises members of the central committee, women’s wing, youth wing, councillors, members of parliament and chairpersons and secretaries of constituency and regional committees.
“In April the central committee endorsed that decision and the deadline for the submission of nominations to be included in the consolidated list was set at June 30. Lekoma attended that meeting. Though the requirement called for the nomination from at least three constituencies, in compiling this consolidated list we have been flexible to accommodate a single nomination so as to enhance inner-party democracy during elections,” says Magama. “In any case, we will report to the congress the procedures we have followed and it will be up to them to decide otherwise.”
Kanjabanga questions the powers of the forum.
“What are the powers of the forum? Can it really take such far-reaching resolutions? The congress is the only body vested with the powers to take this kind of a resolution,” says Kanjabanga. “The purpose of the forum as outlined in the party constitution is to consult on general matters, as opposed to making rules, and regulations. Besides, at that Palapye forum nothing on nomination was ever discussed. What was discussed was that all potential candidates should submit their names for inclusion in a consolidated lobby list.”
The other contentious issue is that of the envisaged constitutional amendments, particularly the one aimed at streamlining the central committee. According to Magama, the party’s July 2004 annual conference held in Selebi-Phikwe agreed to set up a committee to revise certain aspects of the constitution. The committee’s terms of reference included:
l devolution of power to the lower levels of the party in order to allow the central committee to concentrate on policy formulation
l streamlining the central committee
l look at the directorate of elections with a view to either strengthening it or substituting it with an elections board.
Among other things, the report that was endorsed by the central committee in March recommended the downsizing of the committee from 29 to 18, and that the party president should appoint five members (in consultation with the central committee) to sit on the elections board.
The reason for the downsizing, explains Magama, is that the size of central committee poses unnecessary logistical problems when calling a meeting of the body, resulting in non-compliance with quorum requirements. Some portfolios are irrelevant, he opined.
Magama is, however, quick to point out that this is just a proposal that will be presented to the congress to deliberate on and take a decision, adding, “the decision lies with the congress”.
But Kanjabanga is of the view that “there are no political gains to be derived by the party from the amendments”.
“This is just a logistical problem which has more to do with how the party is being managed. Instances of lack of quorum are due to deliberate lack of communication on the side of the central committee with the general membership. In fact, I think the central committee should be expanded,” he says.
Kanjabanga feel a special constitutional congress should be called to address this issue.
“What’s this urgency all about?,” he asaks. “The business of the forthcoming congress is to elect the party leadership.”
A party insider indicates that on these two issues, the outcome will depend on which of the two opposing groups will better articulate its views before the congress, and the outcome of that duel will undoubtedly influence the outcome of the central committee elections to be held on Monday.
Amidst all this, the congress is also expected to deliberate on other matters such as cooperation with other opposition parties. Magama says his report will evaluate the outcome of last year’s national general elections and the impact of the pact (the cooperation of opposition parties) on that exercise.
Regarding the broad issue of opposition unity, he notes that, “all the opposition parties will be having that as an agenda item, and we will definitely seek guidance of the congress on the matter”.
The delegates for the BNF congress will comprise all central committee members, five representatives from each ward, 30 representatives each from the woman’s league, youth league, and group members.
The congress runs from Saturday to Tuesday at Ledumang Senior Secondary School in Gaborone
