The party's deputy secretary-general, Jacobs Sesupo, noted that this is not just another internal gathering, but rather a moment of renewal, accountability, and serious preparation for national leadership. During the weekend, AP members will elect their party leadership. The AP is an affiliate of the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). “This congress is about transcending the AP to the next stratosphere,” said Sesupo, referring to the official theme. “It speaks to our ambition to grow beyond where we are now, not just in terms of elections or government positions, but in terms of the real, transformative leadership we want to offer Batswana.”
The theme, he explains, reflects a deliberate shift in tone and direction for the party. “It’s about being bold, being visionary, and committing to growth at all levels of the movement, organisationally, ethically, and politically,” Sesupo added. He revealed the congress is scheduled to draw a total of 800 delegates from across Botswana and will bring together representatives from AP branches, regions, the Women’s League, and the Young Progressives League (YPL). For Sesupo, the size and diversity of the delegation reflects the party’s reach, energy, and grassroots strength. “This is a congress for every corner of the movement,” he states. “We want our members, our leaders, our structures, from the youth to the elders, to have a voice in the decisions we make about our future,” he added. He stated that the delegates are expected to deliberate on a wide range of critical matters. The deputy secretary-general said these include the direction of the party as both a political force and a potential governing partner, a review of the party constitution to enhance internal democracy, and the presentation of accountability reports detailing performance, finances, and programmatic progress. “These are not tick-box exercises,” said Sesupo. “These discussions will shape how we prepare for national responsibilities. They will define the character and discipline of the AP going forward.”
