BNF Women’s League elections set tone for leadership battle

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday April 25, 2025 08:57

Significantly, this marks the first time the Women’s League is heading into an election while the BNF is the ruling party through its affiliation to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

As a result, each campaign team appears highly motivated, bolstered by support and sponsorships pouring in from various quarters.

However, growing concerns surround the possibility that both the Women’s League and the Youth League congresses may influence the direction of the mother party’s leadership elections set for July.

Consequently, this development has sparked unprecedented interest amongst those eyeing positions in the party’s Central Committee (CC), many of whom are engaging with the Women’s League for the first time.

Traditionally, male members have shown little interest in the congresses.

In an interview, Morolong said the BNF Women’s League, rooted in the party’s socialist and people-centered ideology, can play a transformative role in both party politics and national development.

'I was co-opted as the president of the WL in September 2023. One of key areas I focused more on during my tenure was fundraising activities because by then the BNF was in opposition which meant less resources,' she said.

She, however, added the fundraising activities that took place were even used during national elections to assist every woman candidate.

Again, she said her core mandate was to have high number of women in leadership positions which she noted was facing few challenges.

One of the solutions for such is to facilitate women in highly-intensified capacity building retreats so they learn the importance of them being leaders, how they can navigate the challenges of being a leader and train them for parliamentary and council seats for 2029.

Moreover, Morolong said they also advocated for the BNF women to be given sponsorship for short courses mainly on make-up, decor, events management, catering and others, so that they can be able to make a living through such qualifications.

She further said the roles of the BNF Women’s League in modern-day politics are to build BNF’s foundation in social justice, equality, and democratic socialism.

In addition, she said the Women’s League can promote socialist feminism, which views gender inequality as part of the broader system of oppression, advocate for free education, public healthcare, and economic equity, particularly for working-class and rural women.



Morolong said the WL can push for universal childcare, maternity protections, and access to land and resources for women.

The current president said it is time the BNF Women’s League can take the lead in advocating for changes in the mother party. These include pushing the BNF to adopt internal gender quotas for elected positions, national executive committee (NEC) representation, and parliamentary candidates, identifying and nurturing female leaders for 2029 and beyond.

They can also push for ensuring BNF’s structures reflect the 50/50 gender balance ideals often promoted under progressive platforms and strengthening the UDC Coalition from a women’s perspective, she added.

However, Morolong said the coalition contracting partner, BNF can use its Women’s League to influence the UDC-wide gender policies and representation norms and lead by example by producing strong female candidates and spokespersons.

She said it was time the BNF pushes for the establishment of a UDC Women’s Caucus to unify women’s voices across the coalition.

While on grassroots mobilisation and civic education, she said the party should rebuild and mobilise women’s branches at ward and village levels.

Furthermore, she called for the engagement in political education, especially around women’s rights and voting power, and also lead campaigns addressing social issues such as gender-based violence, unemployment, and single parenting.

Moreover, she said when she wins, the Women’s League can lead to insist on transparent candidate selection processes, challenge patriarchal attitudes within the party structure, promote women-led political discourse, not just women’s participation as supporters.

“The BNF Women’s League has the potential to reshape not only the party’s future but also the character of politics in Botswana. By grounding its actions in socialist, feminist, and democratic values, it can become a vehicle for transformative leadership, real inclusion, and sustainable change,” she added.

For her part, Molome said she wants the WL which could have an impact on people’s lives especially women.

“What is very important is for our WL to have its own constitution. Currently, it is relying on mother body constitution. Constitution is the one that can guide us on what to operate but we do understand that the WL constitution should not be supreme to the mother body one,” she said.

Again, she said if voted, they will want WL which works closely with Members of Parliament (MP) who are women and also to empower them on Bills and motions.

Furthermore she said at party Central Committee, she will advocate for increase of women sitting in the CC so that the women voice can be heard.

She also called for revival of women’s structures around the country so that they could become community developers to be involved.

Molome also said in the coming General Election, they want an increase for women representation in MPs representation and council seats.

Another candidate, Khakhu said; “I am currently overwhelmed because I have to organize transport for my supporters, their food and were they will lodge at. I cannot do an interview this week but I will be available after I have won presidency.”