Boko's 'holidays' extremely distasteful – BCP
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday January 14, 2026 06:00
In an interview with this publication this week, Kekgonegile called for an urgent review of presidential benefits, insisting that leadership must reflect the economic realities faced by ordinary citizens. In this context, the SG strongly criticised what it describes as the “luxurious lifestyle” of the President and some Cabinet members.
He argues that such excesses, particularly in a worsening economic climate marked by government debts to businesses and workers, are both insensitive and dangerous.
“If left unchecked, this level of disregard for national suffering risks plunging the country into chaos,” he warned.
At the same time, he said the BCP has demanded that the UDC government account for its failure to implement key election promises. The SG said 2026 will be pivotal in consolidating its role as the country’s main opposition and a credible alternative government. He said the party has pledged to intensify oversight of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) administration, arguing that the current government has failed to provide effective leadership amid mounting socio-economic challenges.
“Botswana is facing deepening poverty, rising unemployment and stagnation caused by poor governance and the absence of a structural economic break,” he said, adding that it will present a message of hope grounded in accountability and policy clarity.
Fifteen months into office, he argued that there is little evidence of tangible improvements at the household level.
“The lived realities of Batswana remain unchanged, despite the promises made during the campaign period,” he said.
Kekgonegile described 2025 as an intensive year of internal renewal and political engagement, setting the stage for what it says will be a decisive phase in 2026.
Reflecting on the past year, Kekgonegile said 2025 was marked by a demanding programme that included the successful convening of the Women’s League and Youth League elective conferences, a constitutional review conference, as well as participation in the Kgalagadi South and Moreomaoto by-elections.
Reflecting on the year, he said these activities were not merely routine exercises but part of a broader effort to strengthen organisational discipline and ideological clarity.
“The work undertaken in 2025 laid a firm foundation for the strategic direction the party will pursue going forward,” Kekgonegile said.
Building on this momentum, he declared 2026 a year of implementation. He, however, said central to this agenda is the rollout of its Strategic Plan, which will guide political mobilisation, policy articulation and organisational growth.
Notably, he said BCP will intensify its “Going South” initiative after acknowledging its underperformance in the southern region during the 2024 General Elections. The party SG admitted that the results exposed structural weaknesses that must be urgently addressed. “We have reflected honestly on our shortcomings in the South, and 2026 marks the beginning of deliberate corrective action,” he stated.
Meanwhile, he said internal democracy will once again take centre stage when the BCP holds its elective conference in mid-2026 in Mogoditshane. He said the conference will refresh the party’s leadership mandate and reaffirm accountability to members.
“Party officials say the gathering will also provide an opportunity to align leadership structures with the demands of the current political environment,” he pointed out.
Another major priority for 2026, according to the party SG, is mobilising the nation against the UDC’s decision to approach the Constitutional Court on matters the BCP believes contradict the will of the people.
“The party maintains that issues such as the death penalty and same-sex relations should not be resolved through what it calls a 'backdoor' constitutional process,” he said. Instead, he said the BCP insists that such sensitive national questions must be subjected to a comprehensive constitutional review and, where necessary, a national referendum. “The sovereignty of the people cannot be bypassed through judicial shortcuts,” the party asserted.