BDP primary race heats up
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 22, 2025 10:17
Diana Kaaetze, Sam Brooks, and Hendry Louw have all successfully passed the party’s vetting process and are now actively campaigning to secure the BDP candidacy. This race follows the unfortunate passing of Dr Micus Chimbombi, who was the sitting Member of Parliament, leaving the constituency seat vacant.
As the party moves to fill this crucial position, political temperatures are rising, with supporters rallying behind their preferred candidates. Kaaetze, who previously stood as the BDP candidate in the 2024 General Election, is widely seen as a strong contender with solid grassroots support. Sam Brooks, a former Member of Parliament, is seeking to return to the political arena by capitalising on his legislative experience. Meanwhile, newcomer Hendry Louw brings a fresh perspective to the race, appealing to party members looking for new energy and ideas.
As the campaigns gain momentum, tensions within the party are beginning to show. Members have started aligning themselves with different camps, and early indications suggest a tightly contested race. Each candidate brings a distinct background and campaign approach, which could prove decisive in swaying the primary electorate. In response to the growing competition, BDP executive-secretary Ame Makoba has called for calm and discipline. He urged all candidates to strictly adhere to the party’s rules and regulations governing the primary election process. Makoba emphasised that the party’s values must guide the behavior of both candidates and their supporters during this crucial period.
'This is not just about winning a seat; it’s about preserving the integrity of our democratic process,' he said. According to the BDP constitution, code of conduct for candidates for the party primary election known as Bulela Ditswe states that ”candidates shall not use their campaigns to castigate competitors, candidates shall only be allowed to use house-to-house campaigns to sell themselves. No candidate shall be allowed to address political rallies, candidates shall be responsible for the conduct, behaviour, and utterances of their supporters and shall make sure that such supporters abide by the code of conduct of the party”.
Furthermore, the constitution says those who have not won the primary election are duty-bound to support the winning candidate. While candidates who have won primary elections are duty-bound to create an atmosphere conducive to party unity and involve unsuccessful candidates in their campaigns. However, the constitution points out that the branch committee shall take responsibility to facilitate and create an atmosphere conducive to party unity and foster a cordial working relationship between the primary elections winner and unsuccessful candidates.
“All party structures shall be impartial and not support any one candidate to the detriment of others. Members of the party structures shall not be members of campaign teams of any candidate before the party primary elections,” it says.
“Furthermore, all candidates’ campaign teams shall stand dissolved immediately after primary elections to allow for the establishment of constituency and ward campaign teams. Safe for the central committee and regional committees, all prospective candidates shall resign from party structure positions at a date to be determined by the central committee.” While the unsuccessful candidates shall consistently demonstrate commitment, loyalty, and support to the party and its candidate, furthermore ensure that their supporters equally demonstrate loyalty and support to the party and its candidate. Moreover, the constitution bars each candidate from using campaign or publicity materials such as posters, stickers, T-shirts, banners shall be printed, displayed, distributed, worn, or mounted for purposes of primary elections as of the date to be determined and announced by the central committee.
As the BDP prepares for what promises to be a tense and closely watched primary election, the outcome will not only determine the party’s next parliamentary candidate but may also indicate the future direction of political leadership in the constituency.
With the stage set and the campaigns in full swing, all eyes are now on the three contenders as they battle it out for the party’s nomination.