One of the issues that Joina would like to see sorted out is the formulation of a political programme. “You can’t operate without a minimum programme because you can end up fighting amongst yourselves.” Another matter that should be put up for discussion is the methodology of nominating candidates for elections among cooperating partners. He is also demanding a disciplinary code for candidates and elected leaders. “When people are campaigning they must be talking the same language,” he said.
Joina said a concerned group of citizens who want to see a democratic dispensation in the country, should initiate opposition talks. “I believe this group is the only hope for the opposition. They can chair, mediate and host the opposition talks. As opposition parties, we can support them with finances and other logistics.”
Joina told Mmegi that his party has been holding workshops on the issue of opposition cooperation. He added that the MELS’ central committee is meeting at the end of this month to appoint a negotiating team that will enter into talks with other parties.
Joina said once they have entered into cooperation with other parties, they would not mind if partners would be using the same voting disc.
To show their commitment to opposition cooperation, the MELS leader said they decided not to contest the recent Gaborone West North by-elections. He said they are currently engaged in talks with other opposition parties.
“We will be engaging in talks with other parties until July next year. If nothing comes out, MELS will be going on its own. In July, we will be calling a congress where a resolution will be taken regarding opposition cooperation. Once the resolution has been taken, it will be final,” he said. He added that MELS is ready to proceed on its own if opposition unity fails. He said MELS was formed to succeed on its own but it cannot rule out cooperation with other parties. “People are becoming impatient with the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The BDP is looting the economy and they want to stop that,” he said.
Joina said his party is doing well and the only setback is sabotage by the media which is not publishing their programmes. “We are not going to sit and say the media is boycotting our events so there is nothing we can do.” The MELS leader said he has come up with a solution to promote his party. The party is planning to print flyers to be distributed to the masses.
Joina said MELS is hampered by lack of financial resources and this contributed to their poor showing in the last general elections. The party fielded candidates in four constituencies only out of 57 and none of them polled more than 100 votes.
Joina said due to lack of resources, they failed to field candidates in their stronghold but on the ground MELS remains strong. He said his is the party of the future because of its leftist orientation. “When people grow tired of capitalism, socialism is the answer. Once you start talking about socialism, MELS is the only hope,” he said.
Joina said the MELS membership is growing by the day and the party draws its support from the youth. However, he pointed out that young people do not vote during elections and have no resources to assist the party.
