Instability, disgruntled BNF members threaten 60th anniversary
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday July 7, 2025 06:00
Once the heartbeat of the country’s left-leaning political movement, the BNF now finds itself caught between the responsibilities of governance and the demands of its grassroots supporters.
While the party has risen to power through its coalition under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), unity within the BNF has grown increasingly fragile, prompting many to ask: Can the BNF survive its internal battles?
To contextualise the situation, it's important to note that the BNF is the largest and most influential affiliate of the UDC. Although the coalition includes other member parties such as the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) and the Alliance for Progressives (AP), the BNF commands a majority of UDC’s seats in Parliament. Meanwhile, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is alleged to be working in affiliation with the UDC as well, though such an arrangement has not yet been formally confirmed. This political alliance, though beneficial in terms of electoral victories, has also bred tension as each party struggles to assert its identity and influence within the coalition.
Despite these external alliances, it is the internal discontent within the BNF that is becoming increasingly alarming. According to sources close to the party, some longtime members have formally raised grievances, alleging that they are being sidelined in terms of employment opportunities and other benefits, despite their unwavering support for the party over the years.
Mmegi has learned that several letters of complaint have already been submitted to the party leadership, highlighting a growing sense of betrayal among the BNF's rank and file. “These concerned members feel completely forgotten,” one insider revealed. “They sacrificed, struggled, and even faced years of political marginalization under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Many of them couldn’t find employment during the BDP’s reign, even though they held the necessary qualifications. They hoped that the change brought by the UDC would turn their fortunes around, but now they are facing the same disappointments under a government they helped bring to power,” the insider said.
With the next general elections scheduled for 2029, maintaining unity within the BNF ranks is not just important, it is essential for survival. Another member who spoke out openly, Mohammed Khan, said, “I find the government falling short, significantly, in delivering on the key issues that affect us all. Even worse, it is deviating from the principles, policies, and revolutionary ideals that the BNF stands for. Sadly, it appears that our leadership has veered off course, adopting paths similar to the very regimes we once opposed. I will elaborate on this in the coming days.”
He also said the BNF, as part of the UDC, is a socialist movement. Furthermore, he said it must be guided by this foundation when selecting individuals for key public service positions, not just based on credentials, but alignment with their values, ideology, and the will to serve the people.
He further said they must appoint those who understand and embody the vision of a Social Democratic system. “And yes, we have such people. Capable, committed, tried and tested cadres, ready to drive the agenda forward,” he said. In addition, he said, as members of a revolutionary movement, they are bound by their oaths to liberate our people from the lasting effects of colonialism and imperialism. Khan said that includes removing those who are loyal to the old systems that fueled corruption, deepened inequality, and oppressed the majority.
Moreover, he said they are tired of paying sky-high school fees. He continued, “We are tired of struggling while the few benefit. We cannot continue to beg from those who have nothing to offer. Even America, under Trump, went begging, yet we continue to look to them?” He, however, said there are revolutionary socialist states they can build strong alliances with, states that share their values and offer a path towards true emancipation.
Since taking over government last year, party diehards are pushing for the placement of their members in key roles. As party members feel it's their time to eat, President Duma Boko has emphasised that he won't make appointments solely based on party affiliations. Boko said some party members have approached him seeking favours, but he will not entertain calls for cadre deployment. The cadre policy and deployment strategy were adopted by the ANC when South Africa attained democracy in 1994, and they meant to have loyal party hands in strategic positions at various levels of government. Boko said he is shocked that the same people who criticised the previous regime for cadre deployment are the same ones pushing for its implementation. Boko said he wants to operate on merit and competence, rather than political affiliation. Boko has emphasised that he won't fire people recklessly just to make way for party members. As party members feel they should be appointed to key public positions, this rising discontent comes at a critical moment for the BNF and the UDC by extension.
As matters stand, political analysts have weighed in on the crisis, emphasising that the leadership must act swiftly to heal internal divisions before they escalate any further. Shirley Monyatsi, a prominent political analyst, observed that party president Boko is now under immense pressure to balance his dual roles: leading a governing coalition and managing the BNF as a political organisation.
“Boko cannot afford to fall into the same trap like the BDP,” Monyatsi warned. “Disgruntled party members are not just a nuisance; they are a political liability. If the leadership continues to ignore these voices, it may find itself abandoned by the very people who once formed its backbone.”
According to Monyatsi, Boko must prioritise the reintegration of estranged members and begin speaking the language of unity, reconciliation, and inclusion. “There’s a need for deliberate efforts to reconnect with the base,” she said. “He should actively engage in outreach to those who feel left out. These people are not outsiders; they are the very essence of the party. Their grievances must be addressed, not dismissed.”
Furthermore, Monyatsi proposed the establishment of supportive structures within the party that could act as intermediaries between the government and the party membership. These structures, she argued, would serve to bridge the growing gap between governance and party loyalty.
“Without mechanisms to facilitate internal dialogue, the frustrations will continue to mount,” she explained. “What’s needed is an institutional framework that can regularly consult, report, and relay concerns between the party’s leadership and its grassroots supporters.” She said apart from the party Central Committee (CC), the BNF needs a think tank as it is in government to advise it on issues affecting the government and the party.