Wanted: BCP president

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday January 13, 2010 00:00

 

A section of the party favours Dumelang Saleshando not so because he can continue his father's legacy but most feel that he has done enough to lead the party. He is widely seen as the face of the party although other people say he is still young and that it would just not look right if he were to assume the party leadership soon after his father leaves the stage.

Other people prefer Gaborone lawyer Dick Bayford. Some say Bayford has the gravitas to take the party forward. His antagonists say Bayford is still very much BNF and he seems unsure whether he wants to go along with the BCP or he still habours designs of one day leading the BNF and thus fulfilling the late Dr Kenneth Koma's wish.

There are others who believe that BAM leader Ephraim Setshwaelo has everything the party needs from sophistication, eloquence and that he is wise and yet very polished. The congress will be held in July this year.

A likely candidate for the post, BCP vice-president Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang has ruled himself out of contention.

In a letter circulated to media houses, the vice-president called for the election of a dynamic, full time politician for party president to transform the party to become an alternative government. 

He also added that the president should be someone who has a significant support base, a legislator who can take state president Ian Khama head-on on issues and offer better leadership.

'We don't need someone who is timid, but a courageous leader,' he said almost prescribing the type of person the BCP needs for president.

'We are also working in anticipation that the national constitution will be reviewed to accommodate direct election of the head of state.

For this reason we need a leader who has the will and courage to present a formidable challenge to candidates from other parties including Ian Khama from the ruling party.

We expect the congress to re-deploy members of the current central committee to positions where their service will be needed most as well as bringing new faces who can add fresh ideas,' he said. 

However Gobotswang has said that he would not be standing for the position and when this paper wanted to know if he was unfit to challenge the Khama leadership, he replied in the negative, saying he has never shied from critiquing Khama but 'my experience at the helm of this party is that it needs a leader who is available all the time, not someone who has another job on the side.

For someone who is a lecturer like me it is difficult and affects the party most times, as I would be caught up in classes when on the other hand I have to take foreign trips or attend critical meetings,' he said.

When called for comment Dumelang Saleshando said that he would not be seeking re-election for the publicity secretary post, which he had served in for 10 years.

'I would be available for any position besides that. I heard that some even suggested that I stand for secretary general whilst others said President. At this time I can't accept or decline. As time goes on it will become clear what the majority (of the party) wants,' he said.

However Bayford has said that he has not considered standing for the position.

Efforts to source comment from Botswana Alliance Movement's (BAM) Ephraim Setshwaelo, whose name has also been mentioned for the presidency, were futile as his phone rang unanswered.

BCP secretary general, Taolo Lucas is expected to stand for the vice-presidency, a position that he might contend for with attorney Annah Motlhagodi.