I won't dismantle the BPF—Ookeditse
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday November 4, 2025 11:34
Speaking after a chaotic Serowe congress where he was declared victor, Ookeditse, who serves as an assistant minister in the UDC government, said allegations that he would 'dismantle' the BPF are baseless and insulting. “The painful part about those allegations is not just that they are untrue. They undermine my intelligence. They suggest I don’t think and that I am not a strong leader,” he fired back. The BPF is currently split between two camps, one led by Ookeditse, who favours reuniting with the UDC, and another headed by Mephato Reatile, who insists the party should remain independent. Reatile has since dismissed the Serowe congress as illegal, maintaining that he remains the legitimate BPF president.
Ookeditse, however, insists that any partnership with the UDC will strengthen, not weaken, the BPF. “The UDC or any friend we choose to work with needs a strong, united BPF, one that brings value to the table,” he said. “Having friends doesn’t mean killing the BPF.”
He stressed that unity and strategic alliances are key to the party’s revival, saying the BPF intends to grow “alongside like-minded partners” whilst maintaining its identity. “We are not taking the BPF apart. The UDC issue must not divide us. This party will continue to shine and we will rebuild it under unity,” he declared to loud applause.
Despite the deepening leadership rift, Ookeditse remains confident that his vision will prevail. “Like the congress has already spoken, we intend to have friends, but we will not be swallowed,” he said.