Race for BNF youth leadership heats up

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday May 21, 2025 06:13

Currently, three strong teams have emerged, each vying for leadership positions within the league. Amongst the three presidential candidates is Melvin Kedise, whose team is running under the banner 'The Vanguards of Change: The Rebuilders'. Another contender is Carter Joseph, representing 'We Are the Visionary Force'. Lastly, Tumelo Legase heads 'Team Legacy', which also promises a transformative agenda. When addressing the media on Monday, Legase shared his team’s vision should they be elected into office.

He said the importance of reinstating the Youth Parliament, arguing that it is a vital platform for young people to voice their concerns. “We need a platform for the youth so that their voices can be heard. At the moment, there is a lack of space for open dialogue about our challenges. Reintroducing the Youth Parliament wouldn't only allow us to engage directly with the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture but also helps address the rising issue of youth unemployment,” said Legase. In addition, Legase stressed the urgent need to review the BNF Youth League constitution. According to him, the current constitution is outdated and does not reflect the evolving needs of young people in Botswana. Furthermore, he pointed out that many youth structures within the party have collapsed over the years. Reviving these, he said, would be a priority if his team is voted into office. Due to the current disorganization, the exact number of delegates remains unclear, though it is believed the number could exceed 3,000 if all structures were functioning. Moreover, Legase vowed to bring back political education, a programm he says once distinguished the BNF from other parties.

“Without political education, the BNF loses its identity. Our ideology is what sets us apart, and it is crucial for new members to understand it fully,” he stated. Legase said all teams have agreed that since there is an issue regarding membership cards, that members will produce receipt and supporting letter from the region that one is a member in good standing. He said all delegates are submitted by regional secretaries with minutes accompanying those names to show that indeed proper procedure was followed as stipulated by the party’s constitution.