Youth trio gears up for BCPYL presidential showdown
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday June 20, 2025 10:36
Each candidate has already released a mini-manifesto outlining their vision and key priorities should they be elected. As anticipation builds, all eyes now turn to Serowe, where the BCPYL congress is scheduled to take place.
According to Samoka’s team, if voted into office, they want to help BCP take control of all tertiary institutions and use them as a launching pad for grassroots development and political education. Furthermore, they want to rebrand the BCPYL and, by extension, the BCP to make it attractive to young people through contemporary merchandise, performing arts, and sports.
“To help the BCP develop the teflon effect, to be resistant to propaganda. Misinformation and disinformation by mobilizing a group of young people who will help shape public perception in favor of the BCP and defend the interests of the BCP. Also, to ensure BCPYL is financially stable through robust fundraising activities, the financial independence will help the BCPYL to carry out its mandate unhampered,” the mini manifesto says.
Again, they want to build functional youth league structures in all regions and constituencies. Still, in the manifesto, they said the structures will serve as a vehicle for mass membership recruitment as they gear towards the 2029 elections. Moreover, Samoka said they want to promote the affirmative action policy on women, youth, and people living with disability. “We will promote inclusivity in all party activities and structures,” he said.
As for Tlhagwane, who is seeking to retain his seat, she revealed that quitting the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and competing in the 2024 elections was one of the toughest undertakings the party has ever had to undergo.
“I got into office at the height of our conflict with UDC. In fact, at the very conference where we resolved for the UDC to shape up or we would walk out of the coalition. The period was a difficult one, as young people in the main were shaken by what they perceived as the UDC's strength,” Tlhagwane said. “As a result, we lost 2 Youth Councillors during the melee. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We never faltered and rode the stormy waters. In the end, we emerged with a total of 40 Youth Contenders for Council, of which 15 emerged victorious,” she added.
Tlhagwane also said this is by far the best performance by the party on the youth front since its inception. Furthermore, she said, unfortunately, they could only field two Parliamentary candidates. Tlhagwane added that the experience garnered from the journey from their UDC departure to the relative success they attained in the polls needs to be harnessed. However, she said the party needs to build on this experience as they gear up to a full-throttle challenge for government in 2029.
She continued, “That is why our team, The Guardians, is clear that ours is a mission to ensure that we protect the gains we made in 2024. Our target is to have no less than 100 young people contesting for council seats in the 2029 general elections and 10 contesting for Parliament.” Moreover, she said their Youth Manifesto, which was the first ever in the history of Botswana politics, is a very rich document.
She said her focus after the elective conference is to ensure that the Manifesto aspirations find their way into Parliament. Again, she said they have targeted working with their Members of Parliament, to develop at least 1 Private Members' Bill that speaks to the Empowerment of Young people and no less than four motions for the same. June said they stand for radical change in the BCPYL.
“Our agenda is clear; we will revive the BCPYL into a vibrant, revolutionary, transparent, and inclusive platform for all youth. With our progressive values, we aim to reshape the political landscape of Botswana by prioritizing youth leadership, policy reform, and active participation in national governance,” their mini manifesto said. According to their manifesto, they reject the complacency of past leaderships and seek to build a political environment where youth are not just participants but driving forces in societal transformation.
The manifesto calls on them to dedicate a charter to the youth of BCP, whose voices have often been sidelined but whose time has now come. It continued, “Your resilience, courage, and unwavering desire for justice inspire us every day. Together, we will reform the legislative frameworks, revive youth structures, and revolutionise the political landscape with a consolidated focus on BCP attaining state power in 2029.”
Again, it says that Youth in Botswana are increasingly disengaged from formal political structures. Moreover, the mini manifesto for June’s team said crippling democracy because the youth commands over 60% of the eligible electorate yet only 32% was recorded in 2024 general elections.
In addition, they revealed that the majority of youth, being unemployed or underemployed, feel that the government and political systems are failing them. “There is also gross inequality and disadvantage due to socioeconomic factors for young people who try to compete or let alone participate in the political spaces ” say the youth. They said this has translated into youth voter apathy and a general discontent with politics.