When the ground shifted,
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday December 22, 2025 06:00
However, when examined more closely, the intensity and organisation of the party’s campaign efforts during these contests reveal a different story. Although unsuccessful, the campaigns were notably vigorous, demonstrating that the party remains capable of mobilising resources, supporters, and messaging in competitive political environments.
Moreover, a significant shift has been observed among party members themselves. Previously, many supporters appeared hesitant or even reluctant to openly associate with the party, particularly in public spaces and on social media. Now, however, there is a visible resurgence of pride and confidence.
Party members are increasingly seen wearing BDP colours and actively defending the party’s positions online. This change in attitude suggests a growing sense of unity and renewed belief in the party’s future. In addition to these developments, the party leadership has embarked on constituency tours aimed at rebuilding and revitalising what were once strong but now weakened party structures. These visits are not merely symbolic; rather, they serve as a practical strategy to reconnect with grassroots members, assess organisational weaknesses, and restore internal cohesion. By engaging directly with communities, the leadership appears determined to lay a solid foundation for the party’s recovery.
BPF’s tumultuous year of reckoning
The year under review will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and defining chapters in the Botswana Patriotic Front’s (BPF) short but eventful political journey.
From the very beginning, the BPF found itself navigating rough internal waters, as repeated leadership contests exposed deep fractures within the party. Although leaders repeatedly called for calm and unity, the events that unfolded instead turned the year into a test of endurance, authority, and survival.
At the outset, hopes were high that elective congresses would renew the party’s structures and strengthen its grassroots. Instead, the first signs of trouble emerged within the Youth League and Women’s League. What should have been routine democratic processes quickly descended into controversy.
Accusations of voter trafficking and cheating dominated proceedings, eroding confidence in the integrity of the elections. As tensions rose, tempers flared, and order broke down, forcing the elections to collapse before leadership could be chosen. Consequently, these two key leagues were left fractured, setting an ominous tone for the months ahead.
As the year progressed, it became clear that the turbulence was not confined to the leagues alone. Rather, the same unresolved tensions resurfaced at the elective congress of the party’s mother body. Once again, divisions over legitimacy, procedure, and power took centre stage. In a dramatic turn of events, some delegates staged a walkout, protesting what they believed to be an unfair process.
Nevertheless, others remained behind and pushed ahead with the elections, determined to bring the congress to a conclusion. By the end of the marathon session, Lawrence Ookeditse emerged as party president, elected alongside a new leadership team tasked with restoring order. However, the conclusion of the congress did not mark the end of the conflict.
On the contrary, the weeks that followed were marked by open rebellion from disgruntled members who refused to accept the outcome. Competing claims to authority surfaced, threatening to plunge the party into paralysis. For a moment, the BPF appeared on the brink of splitting, as a faction attempted to operate under the party’s name while challenging the legitimacy of the elected leadership.
Faced with this existential threat, the National Executive Committee (NEC) moved with urgency and resolve. Determined to defend the party’s constitutional order, the NEC turned to the courts for intervention. In a decisive legal victory, the party secured an interim court order that effectively neutralised the rebellious faction.
The order barred them from using BPF colours and logos and prohibited them from holding meetings in the party’s name. Crucially, the opposing group failed to mount a successful defence, causing their challenge to collapse within weeks. That legal intervention proved to be a turning point in the BPF’s turbulent year. Although it did not instantly heal internal wounds, it restored a sense of authority and direction.
With the rebellion short-lived, the new leadership consolidated its position and began shifting focus from conflict management to party rebuilding. Speaking in the aftermath, party president Lawrence Ookeditse struck a tone of reflection and resolve. He made it clear that the year’s chaos had delivered hard lessons. According to him, indiscipline would no longer be tolerated, as it had nearly crippled the party.
Instead, he called on members to embrace unity and collective responsibility, warning that continued infighting would only push supporters away. “People cannot be attracted to our party if we keep on fighting,” Ookeditse said, capturing the mood of a party eager to move on from internal battles. He stressed that rebuilding the BPF would require more than words; it would demand structure, seriousness, and visible organisation.
Accordingly, the leadership outlined concrete steps aimed at stabilising and professionalising the party. Plans were announced to issue proper membership cards to all members; a move intended to strengthen internal systems and prevent future disputes over legitimacy.
In addition, the party committed to opening an official office, signalling a renewed focus on visibility, administration, and long-term growth. As the year draws to a close, the BPF stands at a crossroads shaped by its own internal struggles. The journey has been bruising, dramatic, and at times divisive, yet it has also clarified the stakes for the party’s future. Ultimately, the past year has tested the BPF’s resilience and exposed its vulnerabilities. Whether the lessons learned translate into unity and growth in the year ahead remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the BPF’s journey this year has been anything but ordinary.
BPP’s remarkable political comeback year
As the year draws to a close, the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) finds itself in a position few would have predicted not long ago. Once regarded as unpopular, regionally confined and largely invisible on the national political stage, the party can now confidently describe the past year as one of renewal, growth and political blessing. What has unfolded over the months is not merely a good run of fortune, but a deliberate reshaping of identity, structure and relevance within Botswana’s changing political landscape.
For many years, the BPP struggled to appeal beyond a narrow support base. It was often dismissed as a party rooted in the North East, with little influence elsewhere in the country. Its presence amongst young people and intellectuals was limited, and its visibility during key political moments was minimal. However, this year marked a turning point.
The party began attracting academics and young people who previously saw little reason to engage with it. Most notably, the BPP succeeded, for the first time in its history, in establishing an organised structure at the University of Botswana, a development that symbolises growing confidence amongst the youth and a strategic investment in future leadership.
At the same time, the party made notable inroads into parts of southern Botswana, areas where its footprint had previously been almost non-existent.
This expansion has helped dismantle the long-standing perception that the BPP belongs only to a single region or community. Instead, it is steadily presenting itself as a national party with broader ambitions and a more inclusive identity.
The contrast with the past is stark. During earlier general elections, the BPP would sometimes field only one or two council candidates and would fail to secure any parliamentary seats. Its limited electoral performance reflected organisational weaknesses and a lack of national appeal.
Today, the political picture is very different. The party now has five Members of Parliament and 40 councillors, an achievement that signals both improved organisation and growing voter trust. This growth has been closely linked to the BPP’s role within the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), the coalition that currently governs the country.
As an affiliate of the UDC, the BPP has moved from opposition politics into the centre of power. Importantly, it has done so while promoting unity rather than internal competition within the coalition. In a political environment where smaller parties often fear being overshadowed by larger partners, the BPP has focused on cooperation and collective strength.
This reflects the logic of coalition governance, which suggests that smaller parties can increase their influence and stability by working cohesively within broader alliances instead of operating in isolation.
The party’s renewed confidence and direction were clearly visible over the weekend during an event held at Barclays House. Addressing members, BPP president Motlatsi Molapise reminded them that their responsibilities extend beyond their individual party and into the broader UDC family. He stressed that unity was not optional but essential for sustaining political power and credibility.
He urged members to strengthen party structures and to remain active and visible within UDC programmes and activities.
He noted the encouraging increase in youth membership and emphasised that the BPP does not belong to one region or group, but to all citizens who identify with its values.
He also called on members to support the UDC leadership, arguing that internal strength within affiliate parties ultimately strengthens the coalition as a whole. Molapise further acknowledged that, as UDC chairperson, it would reflect poorly on him to lead a coalition while presiding over a weak affiliate party. “Political success at the national level must be matched by organisational strength at the party level,” he said.
Members, he noted, must work harder, build durable structures and ensure the BPP remains relevant in both governance and grassroots mobilisation.
“These developments align with the principles of party institutionalisation theory, which holds that political parties become durable and effective when they build strong internal systems, stable leadership and broad-based support that goes beyond personalities or historical loyalties. The BPP’s renewed focus on youth recruitment, national expansion and structured participation suggests a conscious effort to move from being a loosely organised movement to a fully institutionalised political organisation,” he said.
Equally notable has been the party’s changing approach to visibility and presentation. Once criticised for weak branding and limited public presence, the BPP has embraced modern political branding as a strategic tool. From improved organisation at public events to clearer messaging and symbols, the party is increasingly aware that politics is also about perception and connection.
As the year ends, the BPP’s story stands out as one of transformation and calculated growth. From a party once seen as marginal and regionally bound, it has emerged as a visible, structured and influential player within the ruling coalition. While the party is doing well, it has its internal challenges. Recently, the Central Committee took a firm resolution that any person who has defected from another political party will not be allowed to contest for the positions of party president or vice president.
The move, which signals a hardening stance on discipline and loyalty, was clarified by BPP president Motlatsi Molapise on Saturday during a press conference.
The briefing took place as the party welcomed over 50 new members in Gaborone at the old Barclays House, an occasion on which Molapise used to stress that joining the BPP comes with clear expectations.
“It is important that when you join the party, you understand its culture, how it operates, and its constitution,” he said. He further emphasised that the BPP has a long-standing tradition of unity and internal order, distancing itself from factional politics. “Our party is not a factional one, and it has never operated like that,” Molapise said.
“We are not going to allow anyone to campaign in a factional way to contest for elections.” In this regard, the resolution on defectors aims to safeguard cohesion and prevent internal divisions, particularly at the leadership level. He said currently, they are observing new trends that BPP is not used to, with some thinking that they can go against the party. Furthermore, Molapise revealed that the BPP will be going to its elective congress next year, an event he said will be conducted under strict rules and regulations. He stated that these guidelines will ensure fairness and clarity, whilst reinforcing the party’s values and principles. As preparations continue for the congress, he said the party is currently focusing on rebuilding and strengthening its structures across the country.
Also stating that the leadership is encouraged by progress already made, noting that the party now has structures in Gaborone, Mochudi, Kanye, and Mahalapye. These developments, he explained, are central to reviving the BPP’s presence on the ground and reconnecting with communities. At the same time, Molapise stressed that the voices of the party must be heard on national issues. “We are in power, therefore let’s support our President Duma Boko,” he said.
“We are part of UDC, let’s be visible in it and make it strong,” he stated. Molapisi said visibility and participation within the coalition are crucial for advancing the party’s agenda. Again, he cautioned members who were elected into Parliament and councils under the BPP ticket. He said such individuals must remember that they are not direct members of the UDC, but members of the BPP operating within the coalition. He, however, said the BPP will not shy away from taking action against members who have indiscipline trends, and he further revealed that there is one who is bigger than the organisation.