UNREST ROCKS BPP
Arrival of Bulawa, Nono Kgafela-Mokoka divide BPP
► Top positions up for grabs ahead of party’s elective congress ► Long timers feel threatened by the former BCP members
Some influential Botswana Peoples’ Party ( BPP) members are not impressed by the recent joining of their party by two University of Botswana (UB) lecturers, Prof. Philip Bulawa and Nono Kgafela-Mokoka.
Bulawa comes from the North East District whilst Kgafela-Mokoka hails from Mochudi in the Kgatleng District. At best, the two have allegedly been given a cold shoulder and a hostile reception at worst, which has left the party divided.
The tension has been more apparent in Tati West constituency in the North East District where Professor Bulawa was BCP parliamentary candidate at the 2014 general elections when the BCP was not part of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
The other members of UDC are Botswana National Front (BNF) and BPP. The BCP has since joined the UDC. Prof Bulawa and Kgafela-Mokoka, who joined the BPP within two weeks of each other, are from Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
“I have heard the rumours that don’t make sense. If it is indeed true that some in the BPP feel threatened by the new recruits, that would be a sad day for the BPP,” said BPP secretary general Venter Galetshabiwe who said he does not take the rumours seriously.
Significantly, the longtime party president , Molapisi has indicated that he is not contesting the party presidency or any position in the central committee this time around. The party presidency and other positions in the party are thus up for grabs.
“Several party activists have positioned themselves for party positions in the central committee and even contest for council or constituency positions,” said a source preferring anonymity. According to him, party members as well as the leadership, are divided with a section happy to not only embrace the new members but to also accord them full rights such as contesting for any position in the party.
“The good thing is that, the majority of the people want Bulawa and Nono KgafelaMokoka in the party,” said the source who added that if the BPP wants to be taken seriously, it has to be real.
“We cannot be selective. Our doors should be open to both ordinary members from the other parties as well as leaders from the other parties,” noted the party official. Another source indicated that the divisions in the BPP are fuelled “by some of our partners.”
According to the source, some influential members of Botswana National Front (BNF) are alarmed at the prospect of the two former members of BCP heading the BPP.
“In the past, the BPP and BNF tended to support each other against the BCP on matters such as the allocation of constituencies at the opposition cooperation talks. The way some in the BNF see it is that, should Bulawa and Mokoka take the BPP leadership, the BPP will become another BCP during the talks and the BNF will be isolated,” said a source who wants Prof Bulawa to lead BPP. According to him, the BNF has become even more insecure after being outperformed by the BCP in the general elections last year. Commenting on the allegation, BPP Vice
President, Mbaakanyi Lenyatso dismissed as mere idle talk that should be ignored, the rumours doing rounds about their partners in the BNF.
“Besides, it is also not true that we do not want the new members. What is true is that, there are concerns in the party that some of the outgoing members of the BPP central committee want to install the new members into certain positions at all costs,” said Lenyatso.
His advice to the new recruits is to not allow themselves to be used. Despite the divisions, according to the party secretary general, October 24th has tentatively been earmarked for the welcoming event at Masunga.
Galetshabiwe will not defend his position as Secretary General of the party. Sources attribute the negative reaction from some quarters to the fact that the two academics are posing a threat to the long vested interests of some BPP members who have been eyeing positions in the party.
Had it not been for COVID-19, the party would have held its elective congress in the middle of this year. Both Lenyatso and Cornelius Gopolang have each confirmed their intention to contest the position of party president at the BPP congress expected to be held next year.
Veteran BPP politician, Richard Gudu, declined to comment on the subject. Meanwhile, Maria Kusasa told this publication that she is contesting the Vice Presidency of the party.
Prof Bulawa told this publication that he is not contesting because he is new in the party. “Due to COVID-19, nobody knows when the congress will be held. It might not be soon and by the time it is held, I may no longer be new anymore in which case I may contest,” said Bulawa who dismissed as a joke suggestions that he and KgafelaMokoka are joining the BPP to serve the interests of the BCP.
Speaking on behalf of BNF, the party Information and Publicity Secretary, Justine Hunyepa protested the involvement of the BNF in idle talk. “This is just a conspiracy theory sponsored by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to cause tensions with the opposition ranks. “We do not have any problems with those comrades more so that they joined an opposition party and not the BDP,” said Hunyepa.
On the other hand, Kgafela-Mokoka is interested in being part of the leadership. “We do not live forever. Now, I will be happy with any position in the party leadership where I can influence things using my skills, passion and experience,” said Kgafela-Mokoka who wants the BPP to reconnect with its pan-Africanist identity.