Ailing BNF muses at ill-attended Easter forum

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Wednesday April 7, 2010 00:00

 

Despite party leader, Otsweletse Moupo, announcing that he would not defend his position in the July congress, insiders and observers believe that a lot needs to be done in the three months before the congress.

Lobbying for the leadership of BNF has already started, but it is still not clear who will be standing for the BNF presidency. The names being touted for president are Dr Baatlhodi Molatlhegi, Gabriel Kanjabanga, BNF deputy president, Olebile Gaborone and lawyer, Duma Boko.

Addressing the forum on behalf of Moupo, BNF national chairman, Bashi Sengwaketse, said this is an opportune time for the BNF to ascend to victory. Two parliamentarians, the MP for Kgalagadi North, Phillip Khwae and Isaac Mabiletsa, the MP for Kgatleng, attended.

Moupo was unwell and Olebile Gaborone and Duma Boko were also absent. Sengwaketse believes that the internal strife that prevails in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) presents an opportunity for the BNF.

He emphasised that there is need for members to unite and take advantage of the current rifts that are haunting the ruling party.'In the past, the BDP used to lead people to believe that the BNF is the only one that had problems whereas it is not the case. They also have begun to crack. This is the opportune time for us to lead our party to victory,' he said. Sengwaketse also advised party members to desist from communicating party issues in the media. 'Who are you trying to impress by discussing party issues in the press?' he asked.

He said BNF is already a big movement, but is being destroyed by its members and he called on members to protect their movement. He noted that since Moupo would not be defending his leadership in the July congress, any member has a right to stand for the leadership of the party. He said those that had intended to oust him should close that agenda.

Earlier, the coordinator of the forum, Olefile Moumakwa, had noted that the BNF is dying and that it needs resuscitation. 'If we leave the party as it is, we should forget about ruling this country,' he said.

Moumakwa suggested that the party should have an extra-parliamentary caucus to help BNF parliamentarians with ideas about how they should debate in Parliament.

He also called on party members who are willing to stand for the party leadership to come out in the open and be given a chance to say how they intend to contribute to the party and turn things around.