The race for leadership is heating up as competing teams ramp up efforts to engage the party’s membership and secure support ahead of the pivotal elections. What was initially seen as a relatively calm pre-conference period has now transformed into a high-stakes campaign season, with both major teams vying to convince delegates and members that they are best suited to lead the party into the next electoral cycle. For months, Unity Dow’s team has maintained a visible presence across the country, appearing at public gatherings, media events, and internal party meetings. Its strategy emphasised visibility and outreach, aiming to ensure that Dow’s vision for the party reaches members in every corner of the country. This high-profile approach has allowed Dow’s camp to dominate public perception in the lead-up to the conference. However, the emergence of Taolo Lucas’ team has added a new dynamic to the race. While initially quieter, Lucas’ team has now launched its campaign with vigour, signalling that the contest will be seriously fought. Unlike Dow’s team, Lucas’ group has not relied on press conferences or high-profile media appearances. Again, what gives Taolo’s team an advantage is that it has old party members who are well known within the BCP ranks, while Dow has new faces.
Instead, their approach has been deliberate and focused on direct engagement with party members. As the campaign ramps up, Team Lucas’ spokesperson, Goretetse Kekgonegile, emphasised that their strategy centres on understanding and responding to the concerns of members on the ground. “Internal elections are ultimately decided by delegates and party structures,” Kekgonegile explained. “Our priority is to engage members directly, listen to their concerns, and share our vision for the future of the party.
