BPP admits divisions in the party

OARABILE MOSIKARE
Correspondent | Tuesday November 20, 2007 00:00

He said the reality is that the party has been divided since the Tatisiding Conference in 2003. He was speaking at the BPP extra-ordinary conference at Aerodrome Primary School last Saturday. The theme of the conference was: 'United We Stand'.

'The fact that we are holding our second extra-ordinary conference in four years is enough evidence that all is not well within our party,' Balikani said.

He stated that when he took over the leadership of the BPP in 2003 from councillor Motlatsi Molapisi, the issue of opposition cooperation talks, which has been dividing the party, was already on the table. Balikani explained that Molapisi had appointed a BPP task force to negotiate with the Botswana National Front (BNF). 'Things went horribly wrong in the BPP when the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM) joined the talks in Palapye in the run up to the 2004 general elections. A significant number of BPP members especially those who had been with the party for a long time took exception to the introduction of the BAM to the talks.'

Balikani explained that relations between the BPP and BAM had soured after the 1999 general elections. The two parties contested the elections together as one organisation.

Afterwards, Balikani stated that the BPP pulled out of the BAM which was an umbrella organisation at the time. 'In the process, we had not only lost our party symbol (the five prolonged black star on a yellow background) but we had also lost many of our leaders and members who defected to BAM. Relations between the BPP and BAM deteriorated,' Balikani said.

Subsequently, he said the BPP took BAM, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Registrar of Societies to the High Court, not only to reclaim their symbol but to have BAM deregistered. Balikani was delighted to mention that they won the case and BAM and others lost with costs. 'Needless to mention that the BPP had spent a lot of time and money fighting the case.

The money had been contributed by our members for the construction of our headquarters, the Shango House. BAM owed us money (in legal costs) which they still do.'

Balikani asserted that it was against this background that many BPP members rejected talks with BAM. One group led by Balikani held the view that if the BPP believed in the principle of opposition cooperation, they have to negotiate with any registered political organisation including BAM. Another group did not want talks so long as BAM is part of the equation.

The division led to the Ramokgwebana extra-ordinary conference of March 2004 to decide whether or not the BPP continues with cooperation talks. The majority of the people voted for continued talks.

'It was after the Ramokgwebana special conference that those who had opposed the talks decided not to take an active and effective part in party activities. Their difference with the leadership got worse and the party suffered. In view of the divisions within the party, and the declining morale amongst both the membership and the leadership, it was resolved at the last annual delegates conference that a special conference be convened before the end of 2007 to address this weighty problem of disunity within the party. That is why we are gathered here today (Saturday),' he explained.

He said the matter should be discussed in an honest, mature and responsible manner because finger pointing and witch hunting would bring divisions.

He noted that they must all accept that each one of them is unique, and therefore they are bound to differ in the way they perceive the same subject. He said they have to respect those with different opinions.

'However, we must never shy away from resolving our differences through democratic means.

Democracy is not perfect by all means, but it is all that we have, that can help us deal better with our differences. When some people learnt that, we recently approached by the BNF with the proposal to negotiate cooperation for the 2009 general elections, they advised me to ensure that the subject should not be discussed at this special conference.

'They strongly felt that since our divisions have been caused by talks with other parties, the mere discussion of the BNF's proposal would draw us back and deny us the opportunity to reconcile. Yet true reconciliation demands transparency and consultation.

It dictates that all issues must be discussed openly and frankly.'

Balikani advised members not to engage in any activities, including opposition cooperation talks, which may endanger the cohesion of the party. He added that their loyalty to the BPP must at all times be beyond reproach. 'I therefore encourage you to take time to build the BPP because a weak BPP is of no consequence even within cooperating opposition parties. We hear the public outcry that opposition parties must at least cooperate and work together. We feel the public pressure and accept that it is appropriate,' he said.