BNF moves to revive structures
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday February 9, 2026 09:08
The exercise is intended to ensure that all regional structures are functional, legitimate, and ready to participate in key decision-making processes.
According to the party’s spokesperson, Carter Joseph, the central committee initiated the tour after identifying that the mandates of some regional structures had lapsed. As a result, he said, the affected regions would be required to elect new office bearers to restore legitimacy and compliance with party constitutional requirements. “The CC will ensure the election process is done accordingly. The regional congress shall be responsible to the CC; shall elect a regional committee, receive from constituencies reports, motions, and review such reports, and determine the progress of the front at the constituency and regional level. The regional executive committee shall have the power, in its opinion it is necessary for the protection of the interest of the BNF to do so, to take interim measures, pending the convening of the regional committee and or any relevant structures,” he said.
Speaking in an interview, Joseph explained that the tour officially commenced on Wednesday in the Gaborone region. He stressed that the exercise was not optional but a necessary step to safeguard internal democracy and orderly participation in the upcoming leadership forum. Joseph noted that any regional structure whose mandate has collapsed cannot lawfully take part in the leadership forum. Consequently, the Central Committee is ensuring that all such gaps are addressed ahead of time to avoid disputes and confusion during the forum.
He said the party was keen to prevent a situation where delegates attend key meetings without a valid mandate from their regions. Beyond administrative compliance, Joseph said the tour also serves as a platform for the Central Committee to engage directly with ordinary party members. He explained that the leadership is using the opportunity to listen to concerns from the grassroots and to better understand issues affecting members on the ground.
According to him, the central committee wants to work closely with party members to rebuild trust, unity, and cohesion. He added that direct engagement would also help the leadership clarify party positions and internal processes, thereby reducing misinformation and internal tensions. Joseph further said that one of the priorities of the tour is to unite members and ensure that they receive accurate information directly from the leadership. He cautioned that, in the absence of clear communication, members are often vulnerable to misleading narratives that can deepen divisions within the party.
He emphasised that strengthening structures goes hand in hand with promoting internal democracy. By ensuring that leadership positions at the regional level are filled through proper electoral processes, Joseph said the party is reinforcing democratic principles within its own ranks. Meanwhile, Joseph acknowledged that the current central committee, which was elected in July last year, had not previously managed to visit constituencies as expected.
He attributed this delay to a demanding schedule that included several pressing commitments. In particular, he pointed out that a series of by-elections had occupied much of the committee’s time and resources. As a result, constituency visits were postponed while the party focused on campaigning and organisational work related to those by-elections.
However, with those immediate pressures now eased, Joseph said the central committee had made constituency engagement a priority. He indicated that the leadership recognises the importance of maintaining a visible presence among members, especially ahead of major party events.
The tour, he added, is also expected to help the party identify structural weaknesses and areas requiring urgent intervention. By assessing the state of regional structures firsthand, the central committee hopes to implement corrective measures that will leave the party better organised and more responsive. Furthermore, the initiative is seen as part of broader efforts to prepare the BNF for future political contests. Joseph suggested that strong and active regional structures are critical for effective mobilisation, communication, and policy implementation.
Meanwhile, at Kgalagadi North constituency, the constituency committee would be meeting visiting wards in the area, as its main purpose is to review and strengthen ward structures, provide guidance and assistance in conducting ward elections, particularly in wards that currently do not have established structures.