19 Sep 2023

The Botswana Patriotic Front this past weekend saw an overhaul of its top leadership during the national elective congress held in Gaborone.

Following months of inner party leadership struggles, party delegates elected Mr Mephato Reatile as the new president dethroning the founding president, Mr Biggie Butale, who was expelled from the party following his suspension and a series of legal battles with the party.

The Jwaneng-Mabutsane legislator was voted in by 829 delegates while his competitor Mr Prince Bosilong only managed 33 votes. Mr Reatile is deputized by Dr Thoko Muzila who was unopposed for the position of vice president.

It was a tightly contested battle between former Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP) Mr Carter Morupisi, and former Lerala-Maunatlala legislator, Mr Prince Maele, for the position of party national chairperson, where Mr Morupisi emerged victorious with 435 voters against the latter’s 408.

Mr Lawrence Ookeditse ascended to the position of Secretary General from his previous position of Publicity Secretary while Mr Lazarus Lekgoanyane was elected the party treasurer with Mr Fox Segwai as his deputy.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Ookeditse said it was worth noting that weekend congress was an extra ordinary one as requested by two-thirds of the BPF constituencies with the key agenda item being the election of the party leadership.

 “We are coming from a period where there was crises over the party leadership legitimacy and it is pleasing that the Partiots have spoken with one voice as to who should lead the party heading to the next general elections”, he said.

He said one of the take homes from the party delegates was that they made it clear as to who they prefer and trust as the party president and the executive committee.

He emphasised the need to have strong leader, adding that party unity and coherence was mostly determined by who was at the helm , hence BPF members were optimistic that Mr Reatile would bring in the much need unity heading to the next general elections.

With a party president who is committed to the cause, the organisation will then follow suit, thus the leadership dynamic is important towards party unity, he said.

He said the congress also ratified and endorsed the expulsion of Mr Butale and Mr Moiseraela Goya from the party as agreed upon by the party disciplinary committee.

The expulsion of the duo, Mr Ookeditse said, was motivated by the fact that the two individuals acted against the party’s commitment to collaborate with the Umbrella for Democratic Change in the next general elections.

He said it was impressive that the new NEC was composed of young, vibrant leaders and women who were eager to play a meaningful role in the future of the country and were never indulged in any political debacles.

Meanwhile, the new NEC also comprises Mr Ford Moiteela as the national organisation secretary, Ms Neo Oagile as deputy secrectary general, Mr Molatedi Bareki is secretary for economic affairs, Ms Kesegofetse Magapa is secretary for public education, Mr Jimmy Mphee is secretary for political education, Mr Patrick Mathe as secretary for sports and culture, Mr Prince Moitoi as secretary for labour affairs and Mr Amogelang Mokwena as secretary of information and publicity. ENDs