Ntlhaile launches BNF revival drive
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 8, 2026 06:00
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Ntlhaile said the initiative officially commenced on Saturday in Tsholofelo East Ward and forms part of a broader effort to reconnect with long-time party members while expanding the organisation’s support base. According to Ntlhaile, the campaign’s immediate focus is on identifying former BNF members who have become inactive over the years and understanding the reasons behind their disengagement from the party.
“The importance of the mobilisation drive is to identify old BNF members, locate their homes and reconnect with their families because such information is important for the party’s database,” he said. He explained that the exercise is not only intended to update membership records but also to rebuild relationships with supporters who may have drifted away from party activities.
“Before looking for new members, we first need to understand why some of our members are no longer active and find ways of bringing them back into the party,” Ntlhaile added. Furthermore, he said the BNF believes that retaining and reactivating existing members is crucial to building a strong and sustainable organisation. As a result, the party has prioritised engaging former members before embarking on a wider recruitment campaign. Once the process of reconnecting with inactive members is complete, Ntlhaile said the party will intensify efforts to recruit new members across all wards in the constituency.
“We will then focus on attracting new members and expanding the party’s support base in every ward,” he said. Meanwhile, the mobilisation drive is being conducted alongside a political education programme, which Ntlhaile described as a key component of the party’s strategy to strengthen members’ ideological understanding.
He noted that political education is particularly important for recruits, many of whom may not be fully familiar with the history, values and operational structures of the BNF. According to Ntlhaile, the programme is designed to equip members with knowledge of the party’s principles and objectives and to help them understand their roles within the organisation.
“The reason we are combining the mobilisation drive with political education is to ensure that new members understand the BNF and how it operates,” he said.
He further argued that political education plays a critical role in safeguarding members against misinformation and political manipulation. Ntlhaile said the current political environment requires party members to be well-informed, especially at a time when competing political organisations are actively seeking support and influence.
“Political education is very important in times such as these when members can easily be confused by other parties or individuals who spread propaganda,” he said. Consequently, he said the BNF leadership views political education as an essential tool for strengthening party unity and ensuring that members remain committed to the organisation’s vision and objectives.
The latest campaign comes as political parties across the country continue to reposition themselves and strengthen their structures in the wake of recent political developments.
However, for the BNF, the initiative is expected to improve membership records, revive dormant structures and enhance engagement with supporters at the community level.
In addition, he said the exercise is likely to provide the party with valuable information about its support base and organisational capacity within Gaborone North.
“ By reconnecting with former members while simultaneously educating and recruiting new ones, the BNF hopes to build a stronger and more active membership capable of advancing the party’s agenda,” he pointed out.
As the campaign gathers momentum, party officials are expected to roll out similar activities in other wards across the constituency, with mobilisation and political education remaining at the centre of the BNF’s efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence.