24 Mar 2025

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, has implored party members to prepare for the future by working collectively and strategically to claim power in 2029. 

Speaking during the party leadership forum held in Ghanzi on Saturday, Mr Saleshando commended the party for their exceptional performance during the 2024 general elections after they secured 15 parliamentary seats and about 130 seats at local councils. 

He defined the achievement as a ‘historical milestone’ as he said it was the first of its kind in their political journey and that constituted them as the main opposition in the new government. 

Therefore, he challenged the party members to bear in their minds that they were faced with a mammoth task to deliver to the aspirations of the voters, despite being faced with inadequate resources. 

He urged them to introspect and focus on developing skills, knowledge and growth mindset, while also considering the voters’ priorities and at the same time embracing adaptability and resilience. 

“Re na le boikarabelo jwa go supegetsa setshaba ka ditsela tse di farologanyeng gore re phathi e mo kganetsong e e ipaakanyetsang go busa,” he emphasised. Moreover, he encouraged members to focus on the party’s mandate and ensure that, as the main opposition they differentiate themselves amongst others through rational deliberations. He also encouraged all representatives at both parliamentary and local level and other structures to be vocal on issues pertaining to their communities well being and submitting robust policy drafts, with the sole purpose of improving the lives of their constituents. 

On other issues, he said the BCP would be a beacon of hope for many in 2029, and upon being elevated to the helm of Parliament their area of priority would be Constitutional Review. He added that the youth voted in large numbers during the last general elections, and that they must tap into their opportunity by ensuring that they cater for them in their strategy planning. 

Meanwhile, he acknowledged one of the opposition party founders, the late Mr Peba Sethantsho, whom he described as one individual amongst others who demonstrated remarkable political traits and depth in the revolutionary movement. 

He therefore, requested the party members to take a leave from such influential heavyweights that he said would help them to shape their endurance attitudes in their political journeys. In a side interview with Western Region chairperson, Mr Sylvester Tlhage said they saw it fit to host the leadership forum in Ghanzi as a build up activity towards the honorary celebration of the late Mr Sethantsho. 

He said Mr Sethantsho was amongst the first founders who introduced opposition parties politics in the Kgalagadi and Ghanzi areas. He said it was imperative to recognise their exceptional sacrifices and honour their legacy by fulfilling their revolutionary aspirations. 

Mr Tlhage described the late Mr Sethantho as an ‘endurance personified figure’, as he said he advocated endlessly for equal distribution of resources across all the regions despite their geographical locations. He acknowledged that it was through the opposition activists’ robust advocacy that they were slowly enjoying the fruits of their founders’ hard work in the less economically developed areas. ENDS