BOFEPUSU distances itself from UDC factions
Oarabile Mosikare | Friday February 10, 2017 12:02
Of late, there have been media reports that all is not well within the coalition UDC partners after they agreed to cooperate with the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). It was reported that the UDC is divided between the Botswana National Front (BNF) and the BCP with the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and the Botswana People's Party (BPP) forming a faction with the blessing of the BOFEPUSU.
In interview, BOFEPUSU deputy secretary general Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said: “There has been recent untruthful reports tagging BOFEPUSU as the third force in the so called UDC internal politics while some are chanting that there are divisions within UDC with BOFEPUSU having taken one side in the dividing line if it ever exists”.
Motshegwa said pertaining to reported dynamics within UDC, they as a federation would not comment but rather leave that to UDC to respond and tender clarification. “We would like to state categorically and clearly that BOFEPUSU has no business or interest in UDC internal affairs as the federation is not an affiliate of the UDC,” he said.
He explained that the federation has no intention of being involved in such matter, for the interest of BOFEPUSU is fundamentally on the direction of UDC in terms of public policy direction, ideological orientation and pursuit. “The nation of Botswana and the world ought to be reminded as a matter of importance that BOFEPUSU is the architect or midwife of UDC as it happened at the height of the historic mother of all strikes of 2011,” he said.
He continued: “The aim of the federation is to see a united opposition unleashing an alternative Government. This national vision should not be deterred by lesser matters of what colours, symbols or slogans are to be used but the focus should be on alternative Government for symbols and colours will not provide jobs to youth nor improve welfare of workers.”
He asserted that there must be sheer dedication and sacrificial devotion among leaders of the opposition to usher in a Government that will restore hope to the people, enact just laws, build and strengthen democratic institutions such as Ombudsman, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), strong Parliament and Judiciary. “A kind of Government that will ensure prudent management of the economy and for such an economy to benefit all.”
He called upon all partners in the UDC to heed the call of Batswana, to be united, visionary and focused on the bigger picture rather than individualistic interests. “BOFEPUSU remains neutral, distant and disinterested in the UDC internal politics and will never side with anyone or against anybody for that is not within the domain of the agenda of the federation.
“We hail the sustainable vision of comrades Duma Boko, Ndaba Gaolathe, Motlatsi Molapise and Dumelang Saleshando for their steadfast believe in uniting the opposition. The UDC project and wishes of Batswana are bigger and important than the individual parties and individuals themselves, that's what we believed in during 2011 and we still believe so to this day,” he concluded.