Molapise optimistic about BPP fortunes

Chakalisa Dube | Friday March 4, 2016 13:08

 

In frank discussion with Mmegi, the opposition leader discussed his presidential term, which ends this May, among other issues besieging the oldest party yet smallest in Botswana. Molapise was re-elected BPP president in May 2013 at the party elective conference in Kalakamati. “I am happy with the progress we have made since I was re-elected president in Kalakamati. My main problem is resources.

“We are seriously under-resourced. Party resources are usually sourced through proceeds from the councillors and Members of Parliament but we only have one councillor which is a challenge.”He added: “For now we fund party activities from our own pockets which is not sustainable, but we are still trying to come up with fundraising initiatives in order to boost our coffers”.

Molapise expressed worry that under his current presidential term the party has not made strides in reviving the women’s league.“The women’s league is meeting over the weekend to discuss how it can improve. It is far behind in terms of performance but I am hopeful things will change for the better after the weekend meeting. It is very vital that we revive all organs of the party if we want to improve our fortunes.”

He noted that the party youth league has been active of late which is testimony that the BPP, which was at one point on the brink of extinction, is rising from the ashes.

“Since its election some months ago, the youth league has been active. They have shown serious intent to re-brand the party. They have even been livelier in the social media, which is vital in this era. It (youth league) was very active at the Goodhope-Mabule by-election and they will be in Sekoma beginning this (last) weekend until the by-election in the ward is held.”

The Botswana National Front (BNF), with the help of their Um,brella for Democratic Change (UDC) partners, is pitted against the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in a by-election scheduled for tomorrow at SekomaThe BPP youth led by activist, Botho Seboko, has been very active in the social media, where they have been engaging peers from other parties in political debates.

In 2013 at the BPP elective conference in Kalakamati, Molapise accused party members of complacency. However, he says the trend has since changed because the party has managed to revive some of its structures.

“Our structures particularly in the six constituencies we were allocated by the UDC have been a bit lively. We have recruited a few members and improved visibility by holding rallies.

“The most recent rally was in the Nkange constituency. It was fairly successful. We are going in the right direction; I can’t complain that much,” he said.  In fact, Molapise stated that the party has started to penetrate the southern part of the country in a bid to revive its structures.

“We have so far started recruitment of new members in Gaborone and surroundings. Although we have not done enough things will improve with time. We should appear to be serious in our recruitment drive so that our partners in the UDC take us seriously. We should not appear to be mere pretenders,” said Molapise with a heavy bout of optimism.

Molapise is not certain if he will contest the party executive elections in May.  “I believe there are many people who can take over. The party has groomed many people who are ready to lead the party. Personally, I feel tired,” he said. Molapise has in the past stated that he is fatigued and wants to step down as president only to renege on his initial decision.  There is an indication that a few members among them Lindelwa Maripe, the son of the late BPP president and co-founder Dr Knight Maripe, wants to challenge for the presidency. In addition, speculation is also rife within the BPP that some members are not comfortable with Molapise stepping down because a new leader can bring in new ideas, which could destabilise the UDC. The said members are alleged to be pushing for Molapise to stand for the elections.

However, the veteran politician greatly shuns talk that a new leader may bring their own ideas, which may destabilise the opposition coalition.“The party as a whole endorses the UDC project so I do not believe that a new leader will deviate from this line of thinking. “Pulling out of the UDC might be suicidal because the current political landscape dictates that opposition parties should work together to liberate Batswana from their struggles perpetuated by the BDP,” he highlighted. Despite the BPP’s widely known stance that the opposition should merge, Molapise maintains that his party will not pressure the opposition to disband and form one party.

“We will be waiting for them to make up their mind (regarding the merger). I am however, certain that many in the opposition bloc outside the BPP share our sentiments that there should be a complete merger of the opposition parties.”