BCP boss calls for political fire

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday October 12, 2010 00:00

Speaking at a BCP regional congress in Mogoditshane, Gobotswang said the members have consistently failed to respond to issues of national concern like the examination crisis where teachers are refusing to invigilate after failing to agree on remuneration with the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC).

'This is a scandal of a magnitude that I have never seen since I was born. You will realise that most of the students at these schools are the children of the poor. Their lives are in danger. If we can't protect the poor, students at tertiary, secondary schools and fire-fighters who perish fighting fires, what are we doing? You are sitting idle,' he said.

Gobotswang said the BCP members have turned into voters and not political activists. 'We need politicians who can work for the party and are responsive on issues affecting Batswana. You are voters who happen to love the BCP. You are no different from civil servants who love and vote for our party. You don't work for the party,' he said.

The BCP secretary general hailed the party youth league for holding the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government accountable. He called on other BCP leaders to raise their voices against injustices and issues affecting Batswana. Gobotswang accused some BCP members of being in comfortable positions and failing to speak against injustice.

He said they should not be afraid of making mistakes, as no one is perfect. 'I implore you to be disciplined. We don't want people behaving like Mazabathi (BDP activist) who just go around causing disturbances in other parties' meetings. You should instil in yourselves a sense of militancy, so that you are not passive,' he said.

Gobotswang said as secretary general, he intends to turn the BCP into a powerful political machine made up of women and men 'who can stand up and criticise the government when it does wrong'. He said officials should report back to the BCP members under them on what has been resolved at meetings and apprise them on other pertinent issues in the national agenda.

Gobotswang said he is concerned that members still call him asking about membership fees, when the regional leadership could have relayed the information.

The secretary general encouraged the congress to vote women and ensure at least 30 percent of the leadership is female.Outgoing regional chairman, Ndiwani Kenosi confessed that he had failed in his duties.

'That is why there is no report on what has been happening during my reign. There are reasons though. People need to support their leaders. I know that after voting a new (regional) committee, you will abandon them only to come in the next elective congress. We cannot be a party of elections,' he said.

Speaking at the same congress, BCP member Tebogo Dingake said she has realised that BDP activists like Macdonald Peloetletse and Olebeng Ngwakwena are always quick to defend their party in the media. She stated that the BCP members rarely defend the party. She implored the members to inform themselves so that they can confidently contribute on topical issues.

'I remember one time when I asked a comrade how the Ramadeluka Seretse court case is panning out, only for her to tell me she is not aware of any case involving Seretse, adding that she never watches Botswana Television. How do you know what is happening in your country when you don't follow what is happening in the media?' she said.

Another speaker, responded to Gobotswang's call for the election of women into positions of power by seeking to know what should happen if he wins against a woman candidate. 'Do I then relinquish the position and give it to her? Is that what I should do?' he asked.

Former BCP president, Michael Dingake said it was embarrassing to note that the outgoing committee had not presented a report to the congress. He said the incoming committee should have a programme of action.

'You can't call people and have small idle talk. Lo a tshameka, ga lo a thoahala (You are playful),' he said.

The Gaborone region elected Lucky Bogopa chairman. In his acceptance speech, he said the BCP is thin on the ground and many party members are reluctant to take up tasks assigned to them by the party.

He said his committee will embark on a massive membership recruitment drive. He said in building the party, confidence building is vital among members so that they can spread the message across the country. He said they will have at least one seminar in a constituency.

He said the examination crisis is a conspiracy of the BDP government against the poor.

'Look at all the suffering schools. They are attended by children of the poor where a primary school teacher teaches nine subjects. Meanwhile the children of these people at the centre of the examinations' mess are in English medium schools,' he said.

The vice-chairmanship was easily won by Chaya Chabumbi after Nthabiseng Jacobs was disqualified because she is a councillor and as such an ex-officio member. The congress decided that ex-officio members should not contest committee positions.

The secretary for the Gaborone region is Dr Mbako Nyepi, assisted by Arnold Mosesane. The treasurer is Bontle Lesotlho, whilst Diphetogo Lekgowe is secretary for women affairs. Youth affairs secretary is Charity Kofigwa.