BDP warned against factionalism
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday June 21, 2022 06:00
She said this is so because some members attack the party openly more than they do to rival forces.
As predecessor to Peggy Serame, the newly elected Women’s Wing chairperson, Lesole will deputise the Minister of Finance at Women's Wing Committee level and stay on mission to put the party first.
Lesole said in the 2019 general election, they had internal fights that started with Bulela Ditswe elections and the BDP broke up for the second time which was really sad.
“The good thing is that we became victorious despite these setbacks. I urge you all to avoid factionalism. Let’s preach unity for us to triumph in the coming elections. We have one goal, to take the party forward (party first).
Ke nako ya go berekela party bomme. Re ka kgona tsotlhe ka lona,” she said at the BDP Women’s Wing elective congress held at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School in Kanye over the weekend.
On other issues, Lesole pleaded with the party leadership to encourage or come up with a policy that encourages big businesses to subcontract small ones owned by women in the locality.
She said now that Botswana has signed the SADC Protocol [on Gender and Development], they encourage the government to ratify and domesticate the protocol and advocate for gender equality 50/50 quota.
Lesole called on open debates and deliberations on issues affecting women in general and within the party.
Still on the matter, she said there are some milestones they have achieved as a committee. They included contributing P153,000 as a donation to the COVID-19 team, continuous participation in activities during the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, organising workshops and seminars regionally during the COVID-19 period, sensitising women on issues affecting them during the pandemic, and having completed three successful constitutional review workshops in all regions.
She said during the previous general elections, a total of 60 female councillors were elected while 26 were Specially Nominated. While they have a total of 498 male councillors, only 111 are females.
Lesole also thanked President Mokgweetsi Masisi for nominating women to Cabinet positions as Specially Elected members of Parliament and empowering them by holding certain ministerial positions.