BNF leadership forum eyes renewal

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 9, 2026 09:50

This comes as the party seeks to strengthen its structures and influence within the ruling coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Party leaders and representatives from across the country are expected to gather and reflect on the state of the movement with a view to developing strategies that will reinforce the BNF both internally and within the broader UDC coalition.

In an interview with the BNF spokesperson, Carter Joseph, the forum plays a vital role in helping the party evaluate whether it is progressing well or facing challenges that require urgent attention.

Joseph explained that the gathering provides a rare opportunity for leaders from different structures of the party to openly discuss developments and share experiences from their respective regions.

“The forum is very crucial to us because the Central Committee may not always be fully aware of the problems affecting the party in all corners of the country,” Joseph said. “Through this engagement, we can hear directly from structures on the ground and understand whether the party is functioning well or facing difficulties,” he said.

Furthermore, Joseph emphasised that the meeting comes at a particularly significant time in the country’s political landscape. With the UDC now in power, the BNF must ensure that its members clearly understand government policies and decisions taken within the coalition framework. He noted that the leadership forum will therefore serve as a bridge between government actions and the party’s grassroots structures.

In doing so, Joseph said the party leadership hopes to ensure that members remain informed and aligned with the coalition's broader political direction. “Now that the UDC is in government, it is important for us to align ourselves and explain certain policies to our members,” Joseph said. “This also helps our members understand some of the decisions that are being taken by the government,” he stated.

In addition, he said the forum will allow delegates to deliberate on a wide range of issues affecting the party. He stated that the discussions are expected to include organisational challenges, membership mobilisation, communication within party structures, and strategies for strengthening the BNF’s presence across the country.

Joseph further revealed that one of the major priorities of the gathering will be the strengthening of party structures, particularly in areas where the BNF has limited or no presence.

Building sustainable structures, he said, is essential for the party’s long-term growth and effectiveness. “The forum will help us look closely at areas where the party structures are weak or do not exist at all,” he explained. “From there, we will be able to develop plans on how to build and strengthen those structures.”

Political observers have often noted that strong grassroots structures remain crucial for political parties seeking to maintain relevance and mobilise support nationwide. For the BNF, the leadership forum is therefore expected to provide a platform for honest introspection and strategic planning.

The BNF constitution 35.1 states, “there shall be an Extended Leadership Consultative Forum which shall meet at least once a year or such number of times as the Central Committee may determine for consulting on general party matters”.

It also states that the extended leadership consultative forum shall include the Central Committee, the Youth League Central Committee, the Women’s League Central Committee, Members of Parliament, Councillors, and Chairpersons and Secretaries of Constituency and Regional Committees.