26 Aug 2018

President of Botswana National Front (BNF), Advocate Duma Boko has appealed to party members to fast track opening regional offices as they were part and parcel of a successful campaign strategy towards the 2019 general elections.

Speaking during the opening of the North Central regional office in Mahalapye recently where he also handed over a vehicle to be used by the region, Advocate Boko appealed to BNF members to rejuvenate campaign strategies and revive party structures.

He said the office would assist the region in carrying out administrative duties of the party, attend to public enquiries, register new members and attend to any other issue of concern from the membership.

“I appeal to all BNF members to open all 10 regional offices. As the captain of the ship I have decided to give an incentive in the form of a car to every region that opens an office,” he said.

Advocate Boko applauded party veterans for their loyalty, urging them to guide other members in growing the party.

He said individual members were the backbone of the party and reminded them that their responsibility was a mammoth task.

“The survival of the BNF is in your hands,” he said.

“Revive cell, ward, constituency and regional committees. In the absent of such structures the party will be weakened. But with all structures in place, members will be able to sell the mandate of the party to the community and by so doing contribute to the vibrancy and growth of the party,” statedAdvocate Boko.

In relation to disciplining members, he said it was unfortunate that some members would table their concerns before the central committee instead of going through relevant party structures, adding that it was not the responsibility of the party president to discipline members.

Advocate Boko also highlighted the importance of working with other political parties. “We must co-exist and before doing that we must exist. Revive the party first, and then the next step will be focusing on working with other parties,” he said.

He expressed concern that some politicians were focused on criticising rather than coming up with solutions to challenges faced by society.  “People are tired of being told their problems, they want solutions,” he said.

He advised members to engage through research on issues of concern to enable them to come up with possible solutions.

He said members should focus their campaign strategies on young people, adding that research has proved that the opposition was popular among the youth.
“UDC resonates with young people,” he said. Advocate Boko urged the BNF to be calm and to guide the membership of other parties in the UDC project in order to achieve the people’s mandate.

The party secretary general, Mr Moeti Mohwasa commended members who were devoted and contributed their resources in helping towards opening the office.

Mr Mohwasa warned members to desist from criticising the party leadership on public gatherings and the media.

He said action must be taken against those violating the provisions of the code of conduct. Ends