BNF to honour Kwele
Ryder Gabathuse | Thursday February 11, 2016 16:14
“Kwele was one of the founding presidents of the BNF and we find it fitting to honour him for his contributions in building our party and his contributions to democracy generally,” BNF spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa told Mmegi in an interview Tuesday.
Kwele took over the reigns of BNF leadership from Ray Molomo, becoming the second president of the party.
The BNF takes its 50th commemoration to Francistown as part of three major activities to honour those eligible. Other events were held in Mahalapye and Kanye recently.
Mohwasa credits Kwele as one of the pioneering opposition politicians who had left an indelible mark in the politics of the BNF.
Kwele was the president at a time when the prospects of forming a government were almost nil but he soldiered on with other comrades walking the rough road of democracy and their efforts are still visible today, said Mohwasa.
The event to honour Kwele will commence with a public lecture on March 31 at a place that is yet to be confirmed. Mohwasa could also not disclose who would be speakers at the event as it is still work in progress.
As a way of sensitising people about the Kwele event, there will be a motorcade preceding the laying of a wreath at Kwele’s grave.
There will also be a political rally at the Chedu Choga Freedom Square after the laying of the wreath, as well as a draw for a motor vehicle where a lucky winner will go home happier with a car.
At this rally, four representatives from the four parties of BNF, Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) will share a stage to address the masses.
The BCP recently declared its willingness to join the three opposition parties that are united under the ambit of the UDC. It will be the first time, the opposition unity crusade is held in Francistown in earnest.
Kwele later became a BDP member and an assistant minister in Sir Ketumile’s cabinet. He left the BDP to form the Botswana Progressive Union.
Other than drumming up support for the impending four opposition parties unity, the coming of the BNF leadership to Francistown to honour Kwele may bring hope to the already discouraged BNF activists in the city.
In fact, the presence of the BNF north of the Dibete cordon fence has always been a serious concern to the party leadership, as they know they have the potential to turn the tables but nothing has been forthcoming. The BNF has a heavy presence south of the Dibete cordon fence.
Ever since the 1998 split of the BNF that gave birth to the BCP, Francistown was never the same for the former as the existence of the party structures had always been a doubtful affair.
In the 1994 general elections, the BNF represented by Vain Mamela won the Francistown West constituency and some council wards. The BNF struggled when Mamela and company defected to form the BCP.
North of Dibete, the UDC has two lawmakers: Wynter Mmolotsi of Francistown South and Kgosi Tawana of Maun West.