BDP members warned to stop bullying, indiscipline
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday May 14, 2025 06:00
“Regrettably, we witnessed behaviour that is at odds with the very deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of BDP. Ours is a party renowned for mentoring and championing members who step forward to serve at parliamentary and council level. Yet some of these brave women and men faced intimidation and bullying rather than encouragement. Such conduct must end immediately. If allowed to continue, it will deter future leaders and rob our nation of their talent. Let us recommit to a culture of respect and mutual support, ensuring that every democrat feels empowered to answer the call to serve. Our shared success depends on lifting one another up, not standing in each other’s way,” Ngaka explained.
He reiterated that if the hostility that was experienced by the former central committee the continues, the newly elected will not deliver stating that the focus should be on winning the 2029 General Election and should start now. Ngaka has admitted that flaws in the party’s primary election structure and membership registration system significantly contributed to its under-performance in the recent general elections. Addressing delegates at the party’s 41st National Congress held in Maun on Saturday, Ngaka acknowledged that while the framework was intended to promote transparency and uphold the integrity of internal contests, it ultimately failed to meet those expectations. “The constructive discussions we held during the presidential regional meetings after the election confirm that this is an area in urgent need of review and refinement,” he said. “Let us treat these lessons as guidance. By improving our processes, we will strengthen the BDP and present a more united, resilient movement to the nation we serve.”
Ngaka went on to explain that, although audit teams were deployed to verify membership records, technical issues emerged. Furthermore, he said in several cases, members’ names appeared in the system but were either missing or incorrectly displayed on printed materials. He stated that these problems were not the result of negligence, but rather systemic shortcomings that the party is already working to address.
Transitioning to challenges encountered during the primaries, Ngaka pointed out logistical and administrative issues. He, however, said these included delayed opening of polling stations, voting that extended late into the night, and instances where voters’ names were missing from rolls. Additionally, candidates often received finalised voters’ rolls too late, undermining their preparedness.
“We must also reflect inwardly,” Ngaka urged. He reported that the Secretary-General’s office had received disturbing accounts of members who, after losing in the primaries, actively campaigned against the party. Some went as far as voting for opposition parties a decision they later admitted and expressed regret for. Moreover, Ngaka called for introspection and resilience, urging party members to channel this period of reflection into renewal and growth. “In these moments of reckoning, we must find the courage to rebuild, the resolve to renew, the determination to rise, and the boldness to reimagine what is possible,” he said. Despite the setbacks, Ngaka remained hopeful and forward-looking. He underscored that addressing these structural weaknesses is essential not only for future electoral success but also for restoring public confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes. The Secretary-General’s report served as a call to action for reform, unity, and renewal within the BDP.