BDP NYEC elections campaign starts in earnest
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday January 6, 2015 14:24
The BDP NYEC elective congress is expected to be held from February 6-8 at Masunga village after it was postponed last year due to national elections.
Those who will be battling it out for youth chairmanship include the current chairman Andy Boatile, Mpho Setuke and Thabo Autlwetse.
Autlwetse said he has covered the 12 BDP regions as part of his campaigns.
“Though the date for the elective congress was announced late, I hope we have covered all the regions.
“I believe I have managed to convince the delegates and they the know changes that I want to bring to NYEC,” Autlwetse said.
He said if voted for the chairmanship, his aim would be to revive the BDP youth structures that have collapsed.
His worry is that the youth structures are not functional and they are always being revived when youth congresses are near.
“I will also advocate for youth empowerment.
I believe that our own youth in the party need to be empowered through party structures.
“Lack of employment is also a serious concern to youth in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile Boatile said he will still be contesting for the youth chairmanship.
He said under his leadership, NYEC managed to deliver very well on political empowerment while on economic empowerment they have not yet reached their set target.
“Our committee has voted towards Bulela Ditswe time (primary election) and 97 of our youth managed to win primary elections through our initiative of youth empowerment.
“Out of 97, 67 won council seats during national elections and one won the MP seat. From 119 nominated councillors, 42 are youth,” Boatile said.
He said 30 of their youth members are sitting in branch and region committees.
On the issue of economic empowerment, Boatile said they are encouraging youths to take advantage of government programmes but admitted that they still have a long way to go in achieving their goal.
He said their committee managed to look for two plots, one in Mahalapye and the other at Mmathubudukwane to build BDP youth centres.
Boatile’s lobby list include vice chairman Khumo Lekoko, secretary Simon Mavange, vice secretary One Lekau, treasurer Tuelo Metseyabeng, political officer, Kudzani Tobokani, information officer; Goitse Phorie and project officer; Slumber Mokgosi.
Autlwetse’s lobby list includes vice chairman Vepaone Moreti, secretary Lesego Kwambala, vice secretary Kabo Ketshogile, treasurer Naomi Tese, information officer Molebedi Oduetse, political officer Kabo Mogoga and fundraising officer Joesep Matseka.
Meanwhile Setuke said he believes that lack of youth structures in branches and wards, and lack of an audible youth voice in national party matters requires fresh minds for them to be addressed adequately.
“It is common cause that all other candidates for position of chairman have previously served in the NYEC, but these challenges remain outstanding. “After performing relatively poorly and missing our set targets in the just ended general elections, it is clear that we as a party need self introspection, and to regroup.
“Regrouping simply means electing into office those who are above factions, and have proven themselves worthy of uniting the youth wing,” Setuke said. He said in the past six years, NYECs have never completed their terms intact and that led to them failing to deliver as a result of infighting. Setuke’s team compromises of vice chairman Kgosietsile Kolojane, secretary general Dr Edwin Dikoloti, treasurer Kutlwano Phiri, vice secretary Batsho Makhokhoba, project/fundraising officer Susan Mopedi-Tshosa, political officer Wakgotla Seakgano and information officer Peter Sejoe.