New members flock to UDC affiliates
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday December 18, 2024 10:09
The UDC comprises of the Alliance for Progressives (AP), the Botswana National Front (BNF), and the Botswana People's Party (BPP). This new found momentum has brought an influx of applications, with each affiliate reporting no fewer than 50-100 new members every week. For the first time in their history, the parties are seeing such a dramatic rise, fuelled in part by defectors from rival political organisations. Seizing this moment, all the UDC affiliates have launched robust membership drives to sustain the growth. However, the unprecedented expansion has prompted the parties to enforce stricter adherence to their constitutional procedures.
According to party spokespersons, these measures aim to ensure a seamless integration of new members while maintaining organisational integrity. Notably, individuals aspiring to contest for party positions will need to exercise patience, as they must first meet the stipulated requirements before being considered. This wave of enthusiasm underscores the coalition’s growing influence and cements its position as a transformative force in the country’s political arena. According to the BNF spokesperson, Tumelo Legase, many of these applications come from individuals defecting from other political parties, and former members seeking to rejoin after previously leaving the party. In an interview with this publication on Monday, Legase revealed that over 100 membership applications have already been submitted. 'The wards are still processing some of these applications,' Legase explained. 'They are responsible for making recommendations to the party’s central committee (CC) since they know these individuals better. They need to provide honest assessments because we don't want divisive characters within the party. The wards can recommend whether to accept or reject an application,' Legase.
He further recounted a past incident where the BNF waived certain constitutional clauses to accommodate new members. The party spokesperson added that, unfortunately, some of the individuals later caused internal divisions by attempting to form factions. Whilst the BNF encourages open debate within its ranks, Legase emphasised that such debates must follow proper procedures outlined in the party constitution. He pointed out that adherence to the constitution is non-negotiable, especially for new members. Legase said to maintain party integrity, newly admitted members will be prohibited from contesting party positions for two years and barred from running in the general election for three years. 'These clauses are crucial for evaluating a new member’s commitment to the party,' he explained. Legase further stressed that a lack of understanding of the party’s constitution disqualifies individuals from benefiting from the party. 'Members must not only understand the party constitution but also genuinely love the party. We can't afford to have individuals who are unfamiliar with the constitution yet expect to gain from it,' he added. Looking ahead, Legase acknowledged that the BNF congress, as the party’s supreme decision-making body, could revisit these clauses next year. However, he urged the congress to learn from past experiences, particularly the betrayals by those who had previously been granted exemptions. 'Experience is the best teacher,' he said.
Furthermore, he said application submission does not necessarily mean one is a member and it is important for people to know this. In addition, he said even those who want to rejoin the BNF after defection should understand that they are treated as new members. He revealed that the ongoing membership drive is already yielding fruits for the party. As for AP, its deputy secretary-general, Sesupo Jacobs said: “We are registering new members every week, and in addition, some who had previously left the party are now returning. The applications are received by various regions or branches, as there is a set procedure for anyone wishing to join the party. According to the party's constitution, a member must remain in the party for two years before being eligible to contest for any position. However, the Central Committee has the authority to grant exceptions, as it has done in the past.”
Moreover, Sesupo emphasised that it is crucial for anyone aspiring to contest for a party position first to understand the party's culture, policies, and beliefs. Regarding the BPP, its president, Motlatsi Molapise, stated: 'I do not have the statistics yet, but our structures have reported an increase in applications from individuals who wish to join the party. The BPP has its processes that applicants must follow, and I believe these procedures will contribute to the party's growth. I also hope that those joining are genuinely passionate about the party and not motivated by any personal gains,' he said. He further explained that the BPP has launched a membership drive and expressed optimism that more people will continue to join.