We don’t oppress women – BNF leadership
Mompati Tlhankane | Monday November 27, 2023 06:00
Earlier this year, a youthful female figure in the party, Resego Kgosidintsi known by the sobriquet 'Petrol Bomb', resigned from her position as BNF Youth League president citing personal circumstances. Recently, another woman from the BNF CC, Dr Bonang Nkoane who was the Women’s Wing president, also resigned citing personal reasons. With women generally facing hurdles when it comes to participation in politics, the exit of the two influential women in the BNF has exposed cracks with critics pointing fingers at the party’s male leadership as the instigators of the Nkoane and Kgosidintsi resignations.
The BNF has previously outlined that it is amongst the most pro-women parties in the country. The BNF leadership style has now been blamed for the women’s exit. However, this week the media put it to the BNF leadership, asking if the resignations is an indicator that women are being oppressed by the male-dominated leadership in the party. In response, the BNF vice president, Dr Micus Chimbombi said when a person resigns it is their own decision and reasons therefore, and as the leadership, they have no choice but to respect it.
“The resignations were what we call unfortunate situations. We can assure Batswana and even Nkoane and Kgosidintsi that in the BNF CC, women are not being oppressed in any way. In general, the BNF doesn’t repress women,” he highlighted. He said even the BNF Women’s Wing, which recently announced its new president Katlego Morolong, have not pointed out any suppression. For his part, the BNF chairperson Dr Patrick Molutsi said they keep meeting and engaging with the BNFYL and Women’s Wing, indicating that the party wants women to hold political office in wards and Parliament. “We are deliberately implementing our gender equality policies. We will hold workshops to encourage women to take positions of leadership.
I am happy to say a lot of them want to stand for the upcoming general elections,” he said. Molutsi pointed out that there is no tension because the BNF has always been clear that everyone is equal. “We cannot oppress or push women out,” he highlighted. BNF deputy SG Nelson Ramaotwana indicated that when one wants to develop professionally, they are allowed to quit and concentrate on their personal journeys. He says that people use their funds as they go about party duties and that can be demanding.
“I once resigned my seat as a councillor and quit my position as the BNF Youth League president. It didn’t mean there was a fight or that I was being pushed out. I simply joined Attorney General's Chambers. After developing professionally, I returned to the BNF,” he said.