We don’t oppress women – BNF leadership

Earlier this year, a youthful female figure in the party, Resego Kgosidintsi known by the sobriquet 'Petrol Bomb', resigned from her position as BNF Youth League president citing personal circumstances. Recently, another woman from the BNF CC, Dr Bonang Nkoane who was the Women’s Wing president, also resigned citing personal reasons. With women generally facing hurdles when it comes to participation in politics, the exit of the two influential women in the BNF has exposed cracks with critics pointing fingers at the party’s male leadership as the instigators of the Nkoane and Kgosidintsi resignations.

The BNF has previously outlined that it is amongst the most pro-women parties in the country. The BNF leadership style has now been blamed for the women’s exit. However, this week the media put it to the BNF leadership, asking if the resignations is an indicator that women are being oppressed by the male-dominated leadership in the party. In response, the BNF vice president, Dr Micus Chimbombi said when a person resigns it is their own decision and reasons therefore, and as the leadership, they have no choice but to respect it.