BNF members demand policy accountability
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 31, 2026 06:00
Party members made a number of requests at the party’s recent conference held in Jwaneng. Hence, they want special conference to provide clarity on which BNF policies are aligned with those of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government, which require improvement and which may have to be discarded altogether. A source said the members are increasingly concerned about the relevance of some of the party’s longstanding policies now that the organisation is part of a governing coalition and has representatives occupying key positions in government. “Members wanted to know which policies are not aligning with the UDC, which ones need to be improved, and which ones should be discarded altogether,” the source said. The source added the policy debate will not only be about ideological differences, but also about whether members are being adequately consulted before important decisions are taken. “Again, members wanted to know why they are asked to stamp some things when they do not listen to their pleas or suggestions. “Currently, members are demanding to know what has been achieved, the number of members employed and reports from ministers,” Mmegi was informed.
The concerns reflect growing pressures within the BNF for its leadership to account to ordinary members on the party’s performance since becoming part of the UDC-led government. Members are reportedly interested to know what concrete benefits the party’s participation in government has brought to its supporters and whether commitments made during the elections are being implemented. Furthermore, they want ministers who come from the BNF to provide reports on their performance and explain what they have achieved in their respective ministries. The demands come at a time when the party has to navigate the difficult transition from being a longstanding opposition movement to being part of a governing coalition. The transition has created a new political reality for the party, as it needs to reconcile its traditional ideological positions with the practical responsibilities of exercising state power. BNF spokesperson, Carter Joseph, confirmed in an interview on Tuesday, that the special policy conference is expected to address issues arising from the party’s new position in government. Joseph revealed the conference is intended to address issues that reconcile the party with state power.
His statement shows that the BNF is seeking to examine how its political philosophy and policies can be translated into government programmes without compromising the principles upon which the party was established. The question of policy alignment is particularly important because the BNF is operating within the broader UDC arrangement, which brings together political parties with their own histories, structures and policy positions. For BNF members, the challenge is therefore not only to ensure that the party remains relevant within the UDC but also to ensure that its identity and policy priorities are not lost in the coalition arrangement.
The Jwaneng conference consequently provided members with an opportunity to raise questions about the direction of the party and its role in government. Mmegi has learnt that the party’s members want the October conference to go beyond discussions and produce clear recommendations on policies that need to be retained, amended or abandoned. “They want to know what has been achieved and what has not been achieved. They also want ministers to account to the party and its membership,” the source highlighted.
The demand for ministerial reports could put some pressure on ministers, particularly as party members increasingly expect those holding government positions to demonstrate that they are advancing BNF objectives. At the same time, the issue of members being expected to endorse decisions without adequate consultation could become another contentious issue at the gathering. The source said some members feel that their views are not sufficiently considered by the leadership, despite the party’s emphasis on internal democracy and consultation. The concerns could force the leadership to confront questions about whether the party’s structures are still functioning effectively now that it is part of the government. The October conference could therefore become a significant moment for the BNF as it seeks to redefine its role in government while maintaining its historical political identity. It could also provide an opportunity for the party to assess whether its policies remain practical and relevant under the current political circumstances. More importantly, members are likely to use the gathering to demand greater transparency from both the party leadership and its representatives in government.
For the BNF leadership, the challenge will be to convince followers that participation in government has not weakened the party’s principles or reduced ordinary members to mere supporters expected to endorse decisions. The special policy conference could consequently set the tone for how the BNF operates within the UDC government going forward. If members succeed in securing detailed policy reviews, ministerial reports and greater consultation, the conference could mark an important attempt to strengthen internal accountability. This is so, because the BNF members believe that the ministers must be accountable to members and the party. However, if their concerns remain unresolved, the gathering could expose deeper tensions over policy direction, consultation and the party’s place within the UDC government. With the October conference now expected to bring these issues to the fore, attention will be on whether the BNF can successfully reconcile its historical political identity with the demands and responsibilities that come with exercising state power.