BDP ushers inclusive leadership

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe - Zandile Mbuya | Monday July 14, 2025 09:58

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Rammidi admitted that the BDP has learned a hard but valuable lesson; failing to actively involve its members in key decisions can weaken the party and bring about disunity.

Rammidi said one of the core reasons behind the party’s recent struggles was the perception among its members that they were being excluded from crucial decision-making processes, especially during the period when the BDP was in power.

“One of the main contributors to our downfall was that members felt sidelined. They were not consulted or included when important decisions were made. This disconnect created dissatisfaction and mistrust within the party,” he said.

As a result of this painful realization, the new Central Committee (CC) has resolved to adopt a more inclusive and participatory leadership style. Rammidi emphasised that going forward, no major decisions will be made without thorough consultation with party members across the country. “As the new leadership, we have decided that engagement is not optional, it is essential. Every step we take will involve the voice of our people,” he pointed out.

To spearhead the new approach, the BDP has initiated a comprehensive constitutional review process. Rammidi revealed that a dedicated team has been selected to lead the initiative, with Isaac Seloko appointed as its head. “This team will be tasked with visiting party structures across various regions to collect members’ opinions, ideas, and recommendations on the current constitution. Their mandate is to gather diverse perspectives on what should be retained, amended, or added to better reflect the party’s present realities and future goals,” he said.

In outlining the vision for this review, Rammidi was careful to stress that the process will not be top-down but will instead be member-driven. “It is not up to the leadership alone to decide what the new constitution should look like. It is the members who will determine whether we need a complete overhaul or just a few adjustments. Our role is to facilitate the process and ensure every voice is heard,” he explained.

Furthermore, the SG assured that the review process will strictly follow the guidelines and provisions outlined in the existing BDP constitution. “We will be guided by the current constitution every step of the way. This is not about pushing a hidden agenda, it’s about building a stronger, more democratic party,” he stated.

Rammidi also pointed out a key shortcoming of the current constitution, stating that it was crafted at a time when the BDP was in power and that it is primarily structured around governance from a position of strength. He highlighted that this framework did not anticipate the challenges of operating as an opposition party. “The current constitution served us well while we were in government, but it does not sufficiently address the needs of a party in opposition. This makes it crucial that we revisit and reshape it to reflect today’s political dynamics,” he said.

“This constitution may be amended by a national congress of the party provided that: any member, committee or organ of the party may propose amendment to the party constitution or regulation by submitting, in writing, the proposed amendment to the executive secretary not later than four calendar months before the next meeting of the national council,' reads article 42 of the BDP constitution.

It further states that the SGl shall immediately, certainly not later than three calendar months before the next meeting of the national council, cause to be sent to each branch committee and regional committee of the party the proposed amendment.

However, it therefore, says each branch and each region shall hold a congress to, inter alia, consider the proposed amendment in preparation for the national council. In addition, the constitution stipulates that each proposed amendment shall be read, but not debated (although it may be clarified and explained), at the next meeting of the national congress present and voting.

The constitution calls for the proposed amendments to be placed on the agenda of the party's national congress, whether ordinary or special, debated, and shall be made only if accepted and approved by no less than two-thirds of the members of the national congress present and voting.