The Botswana National Front's (BNF) 60th National Congress was held over the weekend in Palapye.
Notably, President Duma Boko, addressed his party's congress for the first time as the seating President.
President Boko giving his speech during the official opening did not mince words and cautioned party members to avoid letting the great success of winning elections go to their heads and ensure that they continue their hard work and selflessness. “One would reasonably assume that this is a time for celebration, however, I am here to warn and caution the members. You are at your most vulnerable after great success. After achieving success, one must guard against entitlement, complacency, laziness, arrogance, lowering one’s guard and other ills. It is unfortunate that after all the hard work we put into getting to where we are now, we see these ills in our own members,”Boko said.
Boko also took the opportunity to plead with members to now act like members of a ruling party.
“We cannot allow petty squabbles to detract us from the task at hand. Member of the ruling party, your mandate is no longer merely to govern yourself at party level, you must also govern yourself at national and International levels,” he said.
Following the official opening , and closed session , by Monday 8pm, the Central Committee was officially dissolved and voting began. The two main lobbies which went into the elections were; Team Tempele led by Moeti Mohwasa and Team Stability and Continuity led by Nelson Ramaotwana.
While there were allegations of voters' roll manipulation, and an alleged heated meeting, chaired by President Boko, the president dismissed the allegations saying that the meetings were about ‘processes’.
In the end by Tuesday morning at around 4 am, the new leadership was announced.
The New BNF Central Committee
President Duma Boko (unopposed)
Vice president Moeti Mohwasa - 1 144 Nelson Ramaotwana - 840
Chairperson Moses Bantsi - 1 091 Masole Tabona - 892 Spoilt - 12
Secretary General Dr Steven Modise - 1 056 Ketlhalefile Motshegwa - 954 Spoilt 10
Deputy Secretary General Matomela Joram - 905 Shawn Ntlhaile - 1 062 Spoilt 24
Treasurer Barongwang Letlhogonolo - 977 Arafat Khan - 1 003
Organising Secretary Kekgatlhegile Corporal - 761 Motsamai Johannes - 1 215 Spoilt - 28
Information and publicity Carter Joseph - 1 051 Mokotedi Rapula - 937 Spoilt - 22
Political Education Kelesitse Mothibinyane - 949 Seleka Mompati - 1 032 Spoilt - 13
Health and Social Welfare Bashe Happy - 1021 Medupe Joyce - 939 Spoilt 19
International Affairs Lesole Bakang - 1 047 Samson Moses - 958 Spoilt - 19
Labour Affairs Kebadile Shane - 964 Modo Lasten - 975 Spoilt- 28
Economic Affairs De Moss Mokgolele- 985 Moses chimbombi - 991 Spoilt 22
