BNYC suspends director

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Monday September 13, 2010 00:00

In a press release last week, BNYC chairman, Chomi Letlole, said the youth organisation has suspended Mabjeng and reversed the co-option of another board member, Tshepo Serame. The statement said the decisions have been taken because the two are politically active 'while at the same time they serve on the BNYC board, against the Presidential Directive of 1974 (Cap 9/74). 'Our involvement in active party politics has the potential to tarnish the good image of the organisation and as such should be stopped,' reads the statement.

Serame has been associated with the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).  Mabjeng is a former member of the ruling party but now an independent councillor in Tswapong North.

BNYC is sponsored by government and its board members are not allowed to be politically active. Sometime back, the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Shaw Kgathi, ordered BNYC board members active in politics to resign by end of April this year.

The action against Mabjeng and Serame is seen as an execution of the Kgathi ultimatum.

For a long time, the BNYC and its board members have been known to be active BDP activists.

A number of politicians like Shoshong MP, Philip Makgalemele and the Tonota North MP designate, Fidelis Molao were once directors of the BNYC. Efforts to reach both Mabjeng and Serame were futile as their mobile phones were off.