UDC NEC to reconvene post leadership changes
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday April 13, 2026 06:00
The prolonged delay in convening the NEC was largely due to leadership transitions within its affiliate parties. In recent months, several member parties held elective congresses to usher in new leadership.
As a result, individuals who previously served in the NEC by virtue of their positions automatically lost their seats once new party leaders were elected. Some former UDC NEC members lost their seats in the party's elective congress. This created a leadership vacuum within the committee, effectively stalling its operations. However, the situation has now been resolved.
All UDC affiliates - the Alliance for Progressives, Botswana National Front, and the Botswana People's Party (BPP) - have since submitted their updated lists of representatives to the NEC. Notably, the BPP was the last to submit its nominees this week, effectively completing the committee's reconstitution. Meanwhile, changes within the BPP’s submission have drawn attention.
Despite not yet holding its elective congress, the party made notable adjustments to its list by dropping Tiroeaone Kealeboga Ntsima, who is the current Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship and Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Nono Kgafela-Mokoka from its nominees to the NEC. Following the changes, the BPP will be represented by Motlatsi Molapise (president), Venter Galetshabiwe (national chair), and Mmantlha Sankoloba (secretary general).
In their recent press release, written by Sankoloba, the BPP stated, “the move reflects internal recalibrations within the party as it aligns itself with the coalition’s evolving leadership structure. This representation is designed to ensure a strong leadership presence at the highest decision-making level of the UDC while reinforcing institutional continuity within the BPP structures and coalition presence”.
Furthermore, Sankoloba said the selected delegation reflects the BPP’s unwavering commitment to loyalty, unity, stability, and disciplined cooperation within the UDC framework. “The BPP remains steadfast in its commitment to playing a constructive, proactive, and impactful role within the UDC, with the ultimate goal of advancing democratic governance and improving the lives of the people of Botswana,” Sankoloba said.
UDC chairperson, Motlatsi Molapise, confirmed the developments, stating that the NEC is now ready to meet following the submission of all required names. He emphasised that each affiliate party is mandated to nominate four members drawn from its central executive committee, ensuring that representation within the NEC reflects current party leadership structures. “Each party has to submit four members who sit on the party’s executive committee. In our case, we had submitted members who sit on the party's executive committee. We do not have issues with those members who are no longer in the executive committee,” said Molapise. The upcoming NEC meeting is expected to be pivotal. Not only will it mark the return of formal decision-making processes, but it is also likely to address pressing political and organizational matters that have accumulated during the hiatus. Observers say the meeting could set the tone for the coalition’s readiness ahead of future political engagements.
In addition, the reactivation of the NEC comes at a time when political parties are repositioning themselves within Botswana’s evolving political landscape. As such, for the UDC, ensuring a fully functional leadership structure is essential to maintaining unity among its affiliates and presenting a coherent front.