ANC to officiate at BNF congress

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Thursday June 3, 2010 00:00

In an interview, BNF spokesman, Moeti Mohwasa, said Mantashe, who is also chairman of the South African Communist Party (SACP,) leads a party that has always stood by the BNF in its trying times.

'The SACP has supported us through thick and thin. Besides, we also have a longstanding relationship with the ANC,' said Mohwasa.

The BNF spokesman said the congress will be held under the theme 'Towards organisational renewal and reconciliation'. He said they are expecting about 2,000 delegates and observers.

Mohwasa said they have invited other fraternal partners in the southern African region including PUDEMO, the People's Democratic Movement of Swaziland, FRELIMO of Mozambique and Namibia's SWAPO.

'The central committee took a decision that all opposition parties and as many as possible in the country should be invited to the official opening. Due to time constraints, only the Botswana Congress Party, the Botswana Movement for Democracy, the Botswana People's Party and a few non-governmental organisations will deliver solidarity messages,' he said.

The politburo has also invited members of the diplomatic corps in Botswana, Mohwasa said.

Meanwhile, the BNF leadership has decided, according to Mohwasa, that the deadline for registering constituencies and delegates is June 30. This, he explained, is meant to allow for preparation of the voters roll for the election of the central committee.