BNYL aspiring president calls for govt of unity

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday April 27, 2010 00:00

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Gaborone, Ntime who is the former BNF administrative secretary, said the current infighting in the ruling BDP has made the country ungovernable.

'I believe there is no government. Government has disintegrated. President Ian Khama should be calling opposition parties to join him in forming a government of unity in order to prepare for snap elections. At the moment we are told that he will be going around the country trying to contain any damage caused by Barata-Phathi who are said to be recruiting members of the BDP to their new party, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). So whilst he is going around the country who is governing? He should call us to form a unity government,' he said. 

Ntime, who leads a BNYL lobby group as a presidential candidate, said the writing has always been on the wall for the BDP disintegration and that the factional war between the A-Team and Barata-Phathi who have formed a splinter party, is an opportunity for the main opposition to offer an alternative government. Focusing on the BNF, Ntime said that his team, if voted into power would end the cabals and cliques that have characterised his party in the past. He said that after a long period of infighting, that has seen formations such as Temporary Platform emerging, it is high time the party membership reconciled.

'Comrades have been at war with each other for sometime. It is now time to bury the hatchet...and work towards achieving the broader objective of our mighty movement,' he said.

He explained that inner party democracy, where all members have a sense of belonging is vital for stability and unity in the BNF. Ntime said if voted into power, his executive committee would advocate for a welcoming and receptive leadership at all levels and structures in the BNF. On the other hand, those elected must be open to advice, he said.

The BNF activist said his party has abdicated from its role as a mass-based organisation that speaks for the voiceless masses. He explained that the tradition that used to define the BNF, where the party organised rallies around pertinent issues like the Segametsi strike in Mochudi had died down.

'Mass-based activities such as peaceful demonstrations and toyi toyis that were used by the BNF to put pressure on the oppressive BDP regime must be immediately re-instated. The same activities are effective in mobilising ordinary workers and their trade unions, students and other interested sections of our society in protest against repressive policies and shady practices of the BDP-led neo-colonial government,' he said.

Ntime said BNF study groups must be revived to induct and train cadres especially the youth on the BNF ideological perspectives and its nature of discourse.

He said knowledge gleaned from the party school could be passed from generation to generation and 'if our team is voted, we will promote the culture of debate within our movement,' said Ntime.

Another promise he made is that his team, once in power, would set up BNF youth structures across the country in order to recruit new members.Reacting to Ntime's comments BDP executive secretary Dr Comma Serema said suggestions that the BDP is failing to govern the country is 'nonsense. The party is doing fine, and our government is okay. We are on top of things,' he said.