Party vows to restore discipline
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday December 1, 2025 06:00
Addressing supporters at a rally in Lentsweletau, he made it clear that the party’s leadership is prepared to make serious and decisive interventions against any members who engage in conduct that undermines the organisation’s integrity. According to him, the BPF will not allow individuals to tarnish the party’s image through activities conducted outside of established structures.
To begin with, Ookeditse emphasised that the BPF is entering a new chapter under the leadership that was recently elected at the Serowe congress.
“This leadership is determined to safeguard the party from instability and ensure that its foundation remains firm. Stability is not merely a desirable condition but a necessity for the party’s growth and durability,” he said. He said the team entrusted with guiding the BPF will remain vigilant and proactive in maintaining order and purpose throughout the organisation.
Moreover, Ookeditse said there is an existence of a disciplinary committee chaired by former party president Mephato Reatile. This committee, he explained, plays a crucial role in upholding order and ensuring that all members adhere to the party’s principles.
“Instead of tolerating disunity or misconduct, the leadership intends to use formal structures to restore harmony and clarify expectations. The National Executive Committee (NEC) will soon embark on a nationwide tour aimed at strengthening party structures from the ground up,” he pointed out.
This tour, he said, will help solidify internal systems and foster active engagement among members across different regions. Transitioning to the issue of internal tensions, Ookeditse pointed out that some members appear intent on tarnishing the reputation of the BPF.
However, he dismissed their attempts as futile, arguing that the party’s renewed determination and clear sense of direction make such efforts insignificant. In his view, the BPF is no longer interested in engaging in internal battles that serve no productive purpose. Instead, he said the leadership is focused on redefining the party’s character, consolidating its vision, and prioritising meaningful growth.
Ookeditse said the shift in focus marks a deliberate move away from the conflicts that have, at times, overshadowed the organisation’s goals. In addition, Ookeditse made it clear that the era of the BPF being associated primarily with internal strife is coming to an end.
He reiterated that the leadership intends to transform the party’s public image by ensuring that negative narratives become a thing of the past.
Such internal disputes, he explained, once threatened to derail progress, but they will no longer be allowed to dominate the party’s identity. “Going forward, the BPF does not aspire to be known not for controversy, but for unity, clarity of purpose, and dedication to its mission,” he said.
However, the BPF president also addressed what he described as attempts by certain individuals to push the current leadership out of the party. He emphasised that the BPF’s direction will continue to be determined by its members and leadership, not by external forces or internal factions seeking to realign the party without consensus.
He stated that these individuals are not merely dissatisfied with internal processes; rather, they have an agenda that includes pressuring the BPF to cooperate with the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Furthermore, Ookeditse argued that these pressures reveal more about the intentions of the individuals involved than about the state of the party.
He suggested that such attempts reflect efforts to redirect the BPF’s political path without proper dialogue or respect for existing structures. Nevertheless, he assured supporters that such efforts would not succeed. He said the leadership, he said, remains resolutely committed to the party’s independence, its identity, and its long-term vision.
As the rally progressed, the BPF president continued to stress the importance of unity, discipline, and loyalty. “We need to be strong and united as there is a force by certain individuals who want to see our party split. Let’s work hand in hand to win against such negative moves,” he said.
He explained that political parties thrive when members understand their roles and follow established procedures. In contrast, he said, when members act outside recognised structures, they weaken the very organisation they claim to represent. Therefore, the BPF is intensifying its focus on internal governance and strengthening mechanisms that support order and accountability.
Through its renewed leadership, strengthened disciplinary processes, and commitment to avoiding unproductive internal conflict, the party aims to reshape its image and assert its direction with confidence. By prioritising discipline and unity, Ookeditse believe that BPF can become a strong political party and big.