UDC direct members push for meeting Boko
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 16, 2025 11:44
Despite internal resistance and constitutional limitations, direct members of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) are determined to secure representation within the party’s central decision-making structures. This push, they argue, stems from a growing sense of marginalisation and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the coalition’s strategic direction.
The UDC as a party made in format of coalition, has affiliated political parties, with its members enjoying benefits of the coalition as executive committee members automatically becoming national executive committee (NEC) members while direct members who are without political parties are left in the cold.
At the heart of their demand is a call for inclusion in the NEC, the highest decision-making body of the coalition. These direct members, individuals who belong to the UDC outside of the affiliated parties, believe their increasing numbers and political investment warrant formal recognition and influence.
They insist that their voices, much like those of members from the coalition's constituent parties, deserve a seat at the table. To advance their cause, direct members are seeking audience with the UDC president, Duma Boko.
“They argue that the party's constitution does not explicitly require them to host any official activities in order to be recognised or heard, making a meeting with the president both legitimate and necessary,” a source said.
According to their interpretation of Clause 13.2 of the UDC constitution, two individual members in good standing may be elected by the National Assembly Executive Committee into the NEC.
This clause, direct members argue, offers a pathway for their inclusion, if the political will exists. “They are therefore urging President Boko to exercise his leadership powers by co-opting two representatives from among the direct members into the NEC,” the source revealed.
“We cannot be ignored as if we do not exist. The president has powers, therefore he can co-opt two members into the NEC. Direct membership of the UDC has grown significantly, and it is high time this is reflected in the party’s governance structures,” said one concerned member who requested anonymity.
Moreover, some direct members believe that President Boko may be more sympathetic to their concerns than other UDC leaders, many of whom are also senior figures in the coalition's constituent parties. These leaders argue, they may find themselves in a conflicted position, balancing their obligations to their own parties with those of the broader UDC coalition.
“For the direct members, the situation is particularly frustrating because, unlike the affiliated parties, they are wholly and solely committed to the UDC. They do not have a secondary political identity to fall back on or promote. Their loyalty lies entirely with the coalition, which they joined out of belief in its ideals and potential,” the source stressed.
As such, they further argue, they should not be sidelined simply because they are not part of a founding party.
Another point of contention has been the rejection of a recent request by some direct members to hold a UDC conference. The group had formally written to the UDC executive director asking for permission to convene and discuss matters affecting them. However, their request was denied on constitutional grounds. According to the party’s interpretation of its own rules, direct members are not authorised to hold such gatherings independently.
This decision, unsurprisingly, has not gone down well with the affected members. They see it as yet another example of how their involvement is being restricted, despite their genuine commitment to the movement. For them, it is not just a procedural setback, but a symbolic dismissal of their place within the coalition.
As they continue to campaign for inclusion, the direct members insist that their concerns are not merely about representation, but about the long-term viability of the UDC itself.
They believe that the coalition must evolve beyond being a platform for its affiliate parties and embrace the broader base of support that has rallied under its banner. In their view, building a truly inclusive and participatory organisation means recognising and empowering all its members, not just those with historical ties to its founding parties.
They argue that active structures and regular engagement are essential if the UDC is to grow and remain relevant, especially ahead of 2029 elections.
“The growth of the UDC should be anchored in inclusive structures. Affiliated parties have the benefit of their own systems and time to build, but we are UDC through and through,” the source emphasised.
Another clause, which they believe can be used for their case is 12.2.1.2, which reads [[“the members feel could be used of the Governing body referred to under sub clauses 12.2.1.1 and 12.2.1.2 above shall at the first meeting of the governing body elect five additional persons from the ordinary membership category to the governing body.”]]
They believe two of the direct members could be co-opted as an additional members.
In an interview with UDC executive director, Molutsi recently, he said the direct members can still write to NEC to submit their complainants or submit their ideas.
“Unlike affiliated political parties or groups, the direct members have limited rights. But, they have rights to contest, to submit their issues to the NEC unlike others whose are brought by chairpersons and secretary-generals. Any complainant that arise from the members, is taken to UDC NEC,” he had said.