BCP's Bathusi Goes For Party VP
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 9, 2020 14:56
Botswana Congress Party’s (BCP) Daisy Bathusi is set to wrestle for the reins at the July congress against Kesitegile Gobotswang.
This race is considered to be a good development across the political divide since few women hold or contest for higher positions across parties. Bathusi has been serving the BCP as one of the elders for Boteti East constituency.
“My offering to the position of vice presidency is a unique combination of a visionary who employs value-led strategic leadership, anchored on results and focused driven management, bound together by courage and resilience,” Bathusi said.
“The deep and broad professional experience that I acquired in the 23 years that I worked at Debswana, and in the family businesses that I still manage will lay bare a support to the BCP presidency, relevant committees and the Secretariat in further developing and transforming the BCP into an organisationally strong, professionally run, and a competitive party that becomes a party of choice for the diversity of people in our country.”
Bathusi said her passion is on social justice issues and equality for all, coupled with her well known role as an advocate and activist for women’s human rights and issues. In addition, Bathusi said she would ensure that the promotion of gender equality and the respect for the totality of human rights for all would become a critical and natural part of the culture of how the BCP does its business.
“This is critical if the BCP is to remain relevant in this era. My brand of politics is purposeful and issue based. It is about doing my bit and working as part of a team to contribute towards the transformation of people’s lives, especially the marginalised and minority groups.”
Bathusi said her vision is to reposition and reassert the BCP not only as an inspiration and admiration for the nation, but more critically for positioning it, together with their partners as a true government in waiting.
It is no longer business as usual. For instance, for two consecutive elections, Bathusi’s aim is to grow the membership and general support of the party. This will be achieved through designing and implementing a robust political education programme for members, who will in turn be agents for mobilising membership, marketing the BCP and its policies.
“Organisations grow if they can build links and partnerships with like-minded individuals and organisations as a strategy for multiplying its objectives. I will ensure that BCP broadens and deepens its global network of partners from which it learns and receives support, including funding, capacity building and managing successful campaigns,” she said.
“Ensure that the BCP is in a position to contribute substantively to debates at all levels, demonstrating its value as a strategic partner of note. Engage communities and various groups. Actively engage communities and groups such as workers, youths, students, small businesses on their aspirations and issues of concern as a strategy for informing the BCP policies and programmes, as well as for strengthening the BCP brand recognition, support and loyalty.”
Bathusi joined the BCP in March 2011 and around May, she was co-opted as treasurer in Boteti East and in 2012 she became the regional chairperson.
In 2015, she became the president for women’s league and left in February 2019.
She contested for Boteti East parliamentary candidate under BCP and did not win but she continued working for her party to date.