Kgalagadi South by-election: A crucial test for UDC-BPF alliance

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 22, 2025 10:17

The Kgalagadi South Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) position became vacant after the death of the former area MP, Dr. Micus Chimbombi. At the heart of the debate lies a critical question: will the two opposition parties cooperate, or will competing interests drive them apart?

As it stands, the BPF is caught in an internal 'tug-of-war' over whether to field a candidate for the by-election or not. Mmegi has learnt that the BPF constituency committee has written to the party's national executive committee expressing interest in contesting for the area in the forthcoming by-election.

According to a source, the party's national executive committee (NEC) also remains divided on the issue. “While a significant number of NEC members are leaning towards staying out of the race, arguing that contesting would be futile, others strongly believe that opting out could undermine the party’s presence and structure in the constituency,” the source said.

According to the source within the BPF, the debate is more than just about winning or losing; it is about survival and relevance. “Some members feel it’s crucial to contest,” the source further revealed. “There’s a fear that if we sit this one out, it could lead to the collapse of our local structures. On the other hand, others argue that based on the 2024 general election results, the party stands little to no chance in Kgalagadi South. They see it as a waste of resources, especially given the vast geographical nature of the constituency,” said the source.

This internal discord reflects a deeper uncertainty over the BPF’s political strategy moving forward, particularly its cooperation with the UDC.

While the national leadership has been vocal about the importance of opposition unity, implementing the vision on the ground has proven more complicated.

The divisions are not confined to the NEC either. Constituents themselves are also split on the matter. “Some BPF supporters on the ground are calling for the party to throw its weight behind the UDC, in a show of unity aimed at consolidating opposition votes. Others, however, insist that the BPF must assert its independence and maintain visibility by contesting,” the source revealed.

However, in an attempt to defuse the growing tension, the NEC has decided to hand over the final decision to the constituency’s structures. Party president Mephato Reatile confirmed the current state of affairs, emphasising that no final decision has been reached yet.

“It is true,” Reatile acknowledged. “The National Executive Committee met to discuss the matter on Tuesday, but there is no concrete resolution for now. We have selected a delegation that will soon engage with the local party structures. Only after this consultation will a final decision be made,” he said.

He also said the NEC is supposed to meet with the constituents before the Independence holiday for the matter to be resolved, and so that the NEC may take a well-informed decision.

A BPF member, Phenyo Sentlabane, who contested for the area in the 2024 General Election, said in an interview: “It is true we have written to the NEC informing them about our intention to contest in this by-election. We have yet to meet with them on the matter. It is not about winning, as we believe it is a way to build structures and also to make the party active till the 2029 general elections. Currently, both the UDC and Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members are divided in the area. We stand a good chance compared to before.”

Yet, as the Kgalagadi South situation demonstrates, forming a coalition on paper is one thing; translating that into practical cooperation on the ground is quite another. Should the BPF decide to contest independently, it could potentially split the ruling vote, handing the seat to the BDP by default.

Conversely, if the party steps aside and supports the UDC, it may face backlash from its base, particularly from members who feel the BPF should be asserting itself as a serious political player in its own right. Either way, the by-election is emerging as more than just a local political contest; it is becoming a high-stakes symbol of political dynamics in Botswana. What happens in Kgalagadi South could set a precedent for how UDC and its friend, BPF, work together or fall apart between now and the next general election.

As the delegation prepares to consult with the constituency, all eyes will be on the outcome of those discussions. In the 2024 General Election, UDC got 8700 votes, BDP 6070, and BPF made away with 1074 votes. Post the 2024 elections, the ruling UDC and the BPF have been cooperating at Parliament and local government, with some of the latter's MPs in President Duma Boko's cabinet.