BNF extraordinary congress heightens factionalism

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Tuesday February 20, 2007 00:00

Chaired by a party elder (whose name is withheld) who attended by BNF members from across the country, the meeting was called to come up with a lobby list without Moupo and some of his trusted men and women. It was agreed that activists would be dispatched to the various regions and constituencies so BNF members out there could endorse the newly compiled list.

The meeting also discussed issues of funding to run an effective campaign.
'From now henceforth, we are going to access all the party structures, soliciting for support. We want a leadership that has the interests of the people at heart and not a leadership that has dictatorial tendencies,' said a Gaborone-based BNF member who attended the Palapye meeting but preferred anonymity.

'People are fed up with the recent noises that engulfed the BNF over Moupo. We have resolved to come up with a lobby list of credible leaders that would take the BNF to where it belongs,' he said describing the BNF as the government-in-waiting.
The BNF is currently divided between members sympathetic to Moupo and cadres closer to some of the top central committee members.
From the Palapye meeting, some members of the anti-Moupo axis were able to pass a tentative lobby list preferring either Dr Baathodi Molatlhegi or Dr  Kathleen Letshabo for the posts of BNF president or vice president.

Lobatse Member of Parliament (MP) Nehemiah Modubule is listed for the chairmanship; incumbent Akanyang Magama (secretary general), Abigail Mogalakwe (deputy secretary general), Obakeng Moumakwa (treasurer), Dr Elmon Tafa (secretary for political education) and Letshwiti Tutwane (publicity secretary).
Other positions were vacant at the time of going to press because the faction was yet to approach some people.

On the other hand, the pro-Moupo axis, which is yet to meet, has also produced a tentative list, which still has a number of vacant positions.
 Moupo is the presidential candidate with Gabriel Kanjabanga as vice president. The chairman is Modubule, secretary general is Mohammed Khan, treasurer (vacant), publicity secretary is Moeti Mohwasa, secretary for labour affairs is Gabotsoswe Lebitsa, national organising secretary (Isaac Mabiletsa), secretary for international affairs (David Rendoh/Paul Mosimanegape) and secretary for (economic affairs John Disele / Gordon Mokgwathi).
The pro-Moupo group was expected to call its first meeting yesterday to fill some of the vacant posts.
Quizzed about the possibility of the extraordinary congress causing turmoil within the party, BNF spokesperson, Mohwasa referred enquiries to Moupo. 'Moupo has requested that all the enquiries on this matter be directed to him,' said Mohwasa before hanging up.
When reached for comment, Moupo indicated that there was no way an extraordinary congress could cause divisions in the party.
'By the way, when there is a problem in the party, it is in our best interest to go back to the principals so that they could make a final decision. So, the extraordinary congress is all about letting people decide,' said Moupo.
The BNF chief also indicated that for sometime there has been a lack of cohesiveness among the party leadership, which no one could ignore. He feels that no one who is really objective would question his intention. 'I felt that a party constituted forum would really help in resolving this lack of cohesiveness at the leadership level.'
In his view, the question of splits or divisions does not arise. ' I view my decision in calling an extra-ordinary congress to be a correct and principled one.'
He finds it normal for lobby groups to emerge at this stage and added that they will finally die away after the congress.
A BNF youth remarked yesterday that the pro-Moupo group is armed with the right numbers as evidenced by their level of support across the country while the other group has financial muscle but not the requisite numbers, which reduces its chances of effectively challenging Moupo.