BPF to hold first youth, women congresses
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday February 4, 2026 09:28
. The congresses are seen as a strategic move to empower these key groups and ensure they have a meaningful voice in the party’s decision-making processes. This comes hardly after another congress they tried to hold failed due to internal fights. In an interview with the BPF spokesperson, Ogaufi Nthobelang, on Sunday, he said the congresses are part of the party’s broader plan to rebuild and strengthen its youth and women's wings, enabling them to take ownership of their leadership roles whilst contributing to the growth of the party. “The Botswana Patriotic Front will, at the end of March in Maun, host its first elective congresses for both the Youth League and the Women’s League as part of efforts to rebuild, strengthen and empower these key structures of the party. The congresses will provide a platform for the youth and women to lead themselves, unify their voices and actively participate in the party’s decision-making processes,” he said. According to Nthobelang, the congresses will also allow the Youth and Women’s leagues to draft and adopt their constitutions, as well as develop policies and programmes that can be considered and adopted by the party at the national level. “The BPF believes in giving young people and women a seat at decision-making platforms, recognising their critical role in building the party and contributing meaningfully to Botswana’s political landscape,” he added.
He said the Youth League targets members aged 35 years and below, whilst both leagues have eight positions open for contest, including president, vice president, secretary-general, deputy secretary-general, treasurer-general, deputy treasurer, national organising secretary, and secretary for information and publicity. He, however, said interested candidates are required to express their interest in writing to the party’s secretary general, in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Nthobelang explained that previous attempts to hold congresses for the youth and Women’s leagues had been unsuccessful due to financial constraints and the party’s early stages of development. “At the time, the party prioritised building its foundation and structures across the country, which limited available resources for the congresses,” he said.
In addition, he said the congresses are part of the BPF’s wider strategy to strengthen its structures and ensure the party is representative of Botswana’s diverse population.
“Strengthening our internal structures remains central to the BPF’s agenda. Our focus is on building a strong foundation, expanding grassroots presence, enhancing decision-making at the local level, promoting youth and women participation, and improving governance and accountability,” Nthobelang said.
He stressed that party leaders believe that giving youth and women more opportunities to participate in leadership roles will not only strengthen the party internally but also enhance its ability to address national issues more effectively. Moreover, he said, by ensuring that these groups are empowered and represented, the BPF hopes to become a more effective, inclusive, and responsive political party that reflects the aspirations of all Batswana.