Two Youth Vie To Replace Ramaotwana

| Monday June 16, 2008 00:00

The BNFYL is likely to meet next week to discuss the matter. The rivalry to replace Ramaotwana is likely to open more fissures in the already divided youth league.

It is said two factions are busy lobbying for their preferred candidates to occupy the post. The BNFYL president sits in the party Central Committee (CC). Under Ramaotwana, the BNFYL recently made a resolution in Kanye calling for party president Otsweletse Moupo to step down. This has divided the youth league along factions.

The BNFYL met on June 1 after the resignation of Ramaotwana and two candidates, Duncan Basenyapelo and Chelibo Madume were nominated by their respective factions to fill the vacant post. Since there was a tie, no nominee's name was forwarded to the Central Committee. Basenyapelo is the current BNFYL deputy secretary general and Madume is the secretary for labour.

Both nominees are believed to belong to represent each of the warring factions in the BNF. Basenyapelo is said to be from the vanquished, but revving Letshabo faction while, his opponent is pro-Moupo. Both deny that they are factionalists. Basenyapelo, unlike Madume, is considered radical, vocal and combative. He recently called for the resignation of the controversial Moupo at a leadership forum held at Letlhakane.

'I don't belong to any faction. There are no factions in the BNF. My candidacy is all about capability and credibility. We need somebody who will take the BNFYL forward,' said Basenyapelo. He admitted that the BNF is polarised by internal problems that have to be solved. He was quick to admit that the current BNFYL has not performed to expectations.

The 26-year-old Basenyapelo asserted that there are so many people who think he could take the BNFYL forward. He also conceded that the issue of Moupo and his problems might influence who leads the youth league though this is not so crucial. 'Others might look at it that way but it has nothing to do with Moupo. I'm not concentrating much on that issue,' Basenyapelo said. 

His opponent, Madume said he would like to see reconciliation in the party. 'There is nobody who can deny that the party is overwhelmed by internal problems. There should be a spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between the Letshabo faction and Moupo faction.

My aim will be to take the BNF in that direction,' revealed Madume. The 33-year-old reasoned that the BNFYL should be functioning as a guiding tool for the party. He argued that the majority members of political parties are youth. 'My fear is that we failed to guide the party during its tumultuous times. The BNFYL is too relaxed and not giving direction to the party. We should not side with any faction,' he said.