Professor Bulawa dumps BCP, joins BPP
University of Botswana lecturer, Professor Philip Bulawa has joined the struggling Botswana People’s Party (BPP).
The educator has been a member of Botswana Congress Party (BCP) since its formation in 1998. He even contested the 2014 elections as parliamentary candidate for Tati West constituency, garnering 1.671votes.
The winner, Biggie Butale of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) got 4, 510 votes while Richard Gudu of BPP, contesting under the Umbrella for Democratic Change came second with 3506 votes while independent candidate, Farayi Bunyongo managed 819 voters.
Professor Bulawa, a native of Sikakangwe village in the North East District, confirmed both his resignation from BCP and joining of BPP.
“Yes, it is true that I have joined the BPP. I have tendered my resignation to the BCP but before that, I had a meeting with the BCP president, Dumelang Saleshando who accepted my resignation after a long engagement,” he said.
Prof Bulawa is not a stranger to the BPP although he has never been a member of the party. “Please note that the party approached me in 2019. My view was that the time was not right as it would look like I wanted to contest the elections,” said the academic.
He explained that he had always been attracted to BPP philosophy especially on land ownership. “Besides, one of the BPP icons, the former MP for Tati West, Kenneth Nkhwa is my uncle. Because of my relationship with him, I have always, even during my days as a student at Swaneng Hill School, taken part in the party’s mobilisation drive,” said the educator in the Educational Leadership and Management section of the University of Batswana’s Faculty of Education.
His view is that, if he can help improve the fortunes of the BPP, the UDC will be the winner. “The BPP has a significant presence in the North East. We need to harness its potential. I personally believe in the UDC or opposition project. I think, instead of competing, we should collaborate,” he explained.
He is unfazed by the fact that the party support base has been eroded even in its traditional stronghold over the years. “I am joining the party with everything of mine. I am aware of the challenges but watch the space in 2024. The BPP will win,” he vowed.
Professor Bulawa finds it regrettable that BCP and BPP fought for wards and constituencies particularly in Francistown West, Tati East and Tati West.
“The leadership had to intervene but the bad blood remained hence we lost badly. “Unlike us here, the opposition parties worked together in the Ngamiland area and the results are there for all to see,” he noted.
“I am not joining for any position in the party but if there is a need to take a position, I will take it,” he said. Is he being used by the BCP to swallow the BPP as happened to the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM)?
He answered in the negative.
“I am a principled person and will not betray the people. I am joining the BPP with everything of mine.”
BPP president Motlatsi Molapisi confirmed that the party had a meeting with Bulawa last year.
“His joining us is exciting news and there is no doubt that he will help revive the BPP,” Molapisi said. BCP Secretary General Philip Monowe also confirmed that Bulawa has resigned from BCP and joined the BPP.
“We are in possession of his resignation letter,” said Monowe.