BCP initiates fresh round of opposition talks

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 14, 2010 00:00

 

In a press statement yesterday, BCP spokesman, Taolo Lucas, said the BCP, through its president, Dumelang Saleshando, has already written to other opposition parties asking for a meeting, to be attended by the presidents and secretary generals.

Lucas said the BCP wants to have the talks starting in earnest and have the process completed before the end of 2011. The BCP negotiation team has already been selected and comprises of Busang Manewe, Dr Benjamin Bolaane, Phillip Monowe and Dr Nobantu Rasebotsa. It is expected to be led by party chairman, Batisani Maswibilili. 

When contacted for comment, Botswana Movement for Democracy interim deputy chairman, Botsalo Ntuane, confirmed that they have received the letter and that his party is yet to respond to the invitation.

'We are also of the view that parties should start talking as soon as possible. After the Tonota North experience, where we worked well together, we need to take the next step forward.  'Since we received the invitation letter our interim chairman Gomolemo Motswaledi had talks informally, with BCP president Dumelang Saleshando where he told him (Saleshando) that we will get back to them very soon,' he said. When contacted for comment, Botswana National Front (BNF) spokesman, Moeti Mohwasa, confirmed that they have received the letter and that they will respond soon.

'It's consistent with our congress resolution that was made at Mochudi, that we should work towards cooperation unity with other opposition parties. This comes at the right time especially after we successfully worked together at the Tonota North by election,' he said.

Meanwhile, the BCP says that following the merger of Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP), they are now introducing changes with regard to its membership.

The BCP renewable membership, which has been renewed annually at a cost of P5, will now be renewed after five years at a cost of P10. The BCP life membership, which has been P100, has now been increased to P200.

'BCP membership numbers from 1 - 200 have been declared life membership and will be sold to the first 200 members at a fee of P1,000. The BCP has given current card holders of these numbers until the end of October 2010 to have paid for them if they wish to keep their numbers, failing which other members of the BCP and the public will be given the go-ahead to purchase them,' said the BCP's Lucas.  Currently, the BCP card Number One is held by BCP deputy secretary general, Motsei Rapelana, who will also have to fork out P1,000 to retain her number.

The party central committee has issued a directive to its internal structures directing them to dissolve all the old committees elected before the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) merger and replace them with new committees.

They include constituency committees, wards, cell, regional, youth and women's committees. All constituencies are expected to hold their congresses to elect these new committees before the end of October this year.  Lucas also said BCP will, starting next month, embark on a nationwide tour led by its leader, Saleshando, to further market the party policies to the public, recruit and welcome new members and engage in consultative process with various members of the society.

'While on tour, the BCP president will lead victory celebrations in constituencies and wards that BCP won in the 2009 general election. Among the president's entourage will be the BCP executive committee members, members of BCP central committee, BCP members of parliament, councilors, regional and constituencies members. Notable musicians will provide entertainment,' said Lucas.