BPP postpones conference

Chakalisa Dube | Monday June 26, 2023 06:00

This comes after the party postponed its conference where it was supposed to elect new leadership. It was widely anticipated that the party will host its national delegates conference to elect a new National Executive Committee (NEC) later next month. However, the party has since decided not to hold the conference in July citing various factors. Moswaane was widely tipped to win the BPP presidency. He has been strongly campaigning and building party structures in a bid to position himself for victory. This week, BPP deputy secretary-general, Tiroyaone Ntsima told Mmegi that the party’s Central Committee (CC) resolved that the national delegate conference be held in July because the party does not have properly sanctioned structures.

“The party CC met in Palapye on Saturday. One of the agenda items was to determine whether the party should go for a national delegates conference or not. Our ancillary structures were found lacking (and) that is why a proposal to go for the congress could not be endorsed,” said Ntsima. Ntsima added, “The CC resolved that our structures should first go for elections first. By the end of July all ancillary structures of the party branches, constituencies, youth, and women’s wing would have conducted their respective elections.” Ntsima also said the date or the decision to hold the national delegates conference will only be made after July. There are suggestions that the recent decision to postpone the national delegates conference is a strategy to ensure that Moswaane does not ascend to the BPP presidency. Some in the BPP perceive Moswaane as a conflict-ridden figure who cannot lead the party. Already, there are those who have started selling the narrative that incumbent president Motlatsi Molapise should remain president until after the 2024 General Election.

Botswana People’s Party Youth League secretary-general, Gosego Phuthego previously told Mmegi that the youth league wants Molapise to remain president until the next General Election. He said replacing Molapise at a time when the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is experiencing internal bickering might not be a wise decision. “We believe that apart from bringing maturity in the UDC NEC, he understands problems in the coalition. If he is replaced now, his replacement might take time to comprehend the dynamics and challenges in the UDC,” he said. There are also reports that some in the executive are not so keen to work with Moswaane while others are said to be vying for the presidency too. Ntsima denied that there are plans to ensure that the national delegates conference does not take place so that Moswaane does not become the president of BPP.

“There is no way we can go to the national delegates conference to elect the NEC without properly established structures. These structures are responsible for voting executive members so that they should be properly organised. The only thing that can delay any aspiring candidate from vying for the presidential seat is delaying the elections of our ancillary structures,” he emphasised.