The issue of the two groups is what led to this particular congress, each with differing views on certain matters particularly the one on an ideal leader. The front is a democratic organisation and one of the cornerstones of democracy is that minority submits to majority. The results have indicated to the rest of us the direction we should follow in going forward as expressed by the overwhelming majority through the vote.
One hopes that the comrades who lost will take sometime back (not withdraw) just to refresh and come back a little later to help in the organization. Most of them grew in the Botswana National Front (BNF) and have a good understanding of the front; they are badly needed back in the fold. Those who won should in words and deeds remain respectful and extend a comradely hand to the losing group, so that they still feel welcome in the party.
There is talk that BNF is dying a slow death, the new leadership should rise to the occasion and prove to all and sundry that the BNF is not on its deathbed. One of their immediate tasks is to embark on a process of reconciliation because the rumours we hear of fellow comrades being targeted in primary elections do not bode well for the party. It takes firm and decisive leadership to take people through a healing process. Those who harbour feelings of revenge need to be warned that to try and finish off other comrades politically can only lead to cracks within the BNF, our opponents will exploit these cracks and I shudder to imagine the outcome when they do a debilitating loss at the next general elections.
Our opponents are not fellow comrades; our opponents are on the other side of the spectrum. To the leadership, the one thing needful is to retain and consolidate the gains made in 2004. Any reversal or decline in results will be unacceptable. We have to be seen to be making progress.
We can only realise progress if we direct our efforts towards the North of Dibete. Any political party that is to make any impact on the local political scene must make considerable advances in that area of the country. BNF needs a concrete strategy for the north if Botswana, we cannot have a situation where comrades scramble for Gaborone constituencies deemed to be safe havens when they could be deployed elsewhere across the country preferably their home villages.
Considering what Michael Mzwinila did in the past elections, when he stood in Tonota and accumulated a considerable number of votes besides arriving late in that constituency, this is what we should be encouraging comrades to do or else we will forever be stuck in the south, we are and should not be a main opposition of the south we should be a main opposition party because we are represented well in all corners of Botswana.
The other important task that awaits the new leadership is to revive party political education. There are clear signs that most comrades are in the dark with regard to what the front is all about, therefore there should be no room for complacency in this regard. Party activists when deployed in campaigns must be in a position to defend and should be conversant with party policies.
Party structures as well need special attention. In most constituencies, if not all, structures are moribund or at worst outright non-existent. Our machinery needs to be well oiled if we are to make considerable strides in 2009 and this is dependant on lower level structures functioning such as constituency committees. Let us revive these committees in all constituencies and strive to have contestants for the general elections in all of them. It is on the basis of representation across the country that the nation can regard us as a formidable force worthy of their consideration.
Ours is not and cannot afford to be a debating club; we should be a party of petitions and protests. BNF should be at the forefront of issues that affect the nation. Let the party be visible in the streets waving placards with messages of dissent.
We need proper conflict resolution mechanisms to be put in place, a situation whereby we call special congresses now and then to settle this or that issue is inimical to cohesion and progress. If our veterans association was alive and well it could be helpful in this regard. Veterans as people who are not active and not position seekers possess the right frame of mind to resolve and defuse conflicts.
Finally let us remember that this is a long and bitter struggle, our new leaders Central Committee) need all the courage and wisdom they can muster to propel the masses in this march. Peace be upon the BNF, the struggle for a better Botswana continues.
Terence Thebe
Kgatleng East
MOCHUDI
