BNFYL celebrates 25 years

MPHO MOKWAPE
Correspondent | Tuesday March 5, 2013 00:00

 

Speaking during a press briefing for the official celebration of the youth league's 25th anniversary yesterday in Gaborone, Khan related that BYF operated as the unofficial BNFYL in the 1970s. He revealed that it was mandated to organise the students and the working class into the BNF.

'This led to the party recognising the importance of youth as a relatively educated, energetic and militant sector of the population hence became more receptive to progressive ideas,' emphasised Khan.He explained that the formation of the BNFYL in 1988 legitimised the youth structure of the party with the main purpose of providing the youth with organisational and political training to develop and nurture a future leadership cadre.

He said the BNF is what it is today because of the sacrifices of youth from the 1970s right to the 1990s such as Bojosi Otlhogile, Othata Motlogelwa, Henry Kame, Mokgweetsi Kgosipula, Key Dingake, Shawn Nthaile, Nehemiah Modubule and former BNF president Otsweletse Moupo.Khan pointed out that the late Marshall Masilo, whom he described as radical, militant and revolutionary, led the youth league to popularity and many joined the BNF on account of his activism, alongside Paul Mosimagape, Kingdom Ipotseng and others. With the party gaining momentum and strength, Khan said came the likes of Gabriel Kanjabanga, Nelson Ramaotwana and Motsamai Motsamai, who elevated the style of politics near Masilo's.However, Khan lamented that some of the party's stars, Kagiso Ntime, Gabriel Kanjabanga and Reggie Reatile, later turned out to be enemies of the party.