Having released their maiden manifesto late into the campaign in 2019, and the same overshadowed by the influence of Khama as an individual who is at odds with his former party, it would seem like the same will repeat towards the 2024 General Election. The BPF will over the weekend convene in Serowe for their manifesto launch where they will also launch their three parliamentary hopefuls for Serowe North, Baratiwa Mathoothe; Serowe South Leepetswe Lesedi and Onalepelo Kedikilwe for Serowe West. This will also be the time when the party’s chief campaigner, Khama will officially start his work of selling the BPF. It is anticipated that Khama will later take up his seat as Bagammangwato Kgosi and quit politics. This would mean the BPF, which has also seen growth in representation from across the country, needs to put more effort in selling a solid manifesto to compete with other parties. Is Khama the real BPF manifesto?
The BPF has always been known to rely on the so called ‘Khama Magic’ with the belief that Khama has his way of attracting people to himself and any causes he partakes in. Even the man who would ordinarily be the face of the party’s campaign, president Mephato Reatile admitted during a press conference recently that it would take just the presence of Khama at their party events and saying a few words that would ensure that though they came late to the campaign season, they would still perform greatly. Interestingly, despite the party not having been clear on its election plan, joining the Umbrella for Democratic Change then leaving before elections, internal fighting leading to court cases, absence of party manifesto, the BPF has been the biggest beneficiary of primary elections casualties from other parties. The party until just last week was accepting disgruntled members from the BDP and opposition parties with most of them going on to test in new territories almost in any region. Also, it has never been about what the BPF as a party can offer or what is in their manifesto, but rather they hope to benefit from Khama’s popularity and assumed sympathy votes over his self-exile which he says he was forced on by government. Inside the BPF 2024 manifesto Following a recent press briefing where they said they would announce a date for their manifesto launch, the BPF has announced they would be doing so in Serowe over the weekend.
