07 May 2025

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) will host its elective congress in Maun on Saturday.

The party, which has been leading the country for 58 years, lost power last year during general elections.

As the momentum builds ahead of the congress, some party veterans, the congress would serve as a therapeutic session to the democrats in general.

BDP secretary general, Mr Ngaka Ngaka confirmed in an interview said preparations were at an advanced stage as they were making final touches to host 800 delegates from 14 regions.

He also said they had also extended invitations to their partners from African National Congress and SWAPO.

He said the party president, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, chairperson and secretary general would deliver their speeches at the congress.

“Everything is going well so far and we expect delegates to start arriving starting Wednesday as we have allocated each region a bus. 

This is our first congress as an opposition party and we are hopeful that it will shape the future of the party.

We expect this elective congress to foster unity, peace and stability within the party,” he said.

While he appreciated that key on the congress agenda would be the election of the new party leadership, Mr Ngaka further highlighted that the congress would also provide a platform for democrats to regroup, rebuild the party and chat the way forward as they prepare for a comeback in the 2029 general elections.

He said, as they would be ushering new leadership into office, they expected them to come up with a strategic plan to ensure the party reclaimed power in 2029.

The new leadership, he said, would have a mammoth task of guiding, strengthening unity and restoring hope within members and Batswana in general and appealed to democrats to rally behind the executive committee to achieve its mandate.

“We believe our party still remain strong and can take the country to greater heights if given the chance. 

Batswana can still entrust us with government because we have strong and visionary leadership who believes in democracy,” said Mr Ngaka dismissing reports that the party was doomed following the general election defeat.

People, he said should understand that BDP had a history of stability and that it should be maintained. 

He urged members to work for the party to achieve its goals.

Asked about candidates vying for office, he said they expected all interested in positions to conduct their campaigns within the confines of the party constitution.

However, four candidates being former cabinet ministers; Mr Nonofo Molefhi, Mr Mpho Balopi, former vice president, Mr Slumber Tsogwane and Mr Ame Makoba are contending for the BDP presidency. 

Other positions to be contested in the central committee include secretary general, treasurer, vice secretary and additional members, among others. ENDS