27 Apr 2026

Botswana People’s Party (BPP) leader, Mr Motlatsi Molapisi has vowed that the BPP will play a substantive role for the UDC to retain power in the 2029 general elections.

Addressing delegates at the party’s first leadership forum in Tatisiding on Saturday, Mr Molapisi has stressed that the BPP remained committed to the UDC and was determined to help the coalition win the next election by a huge margin.

However, he expressed serious concern that the majority of the party’s Councillors and Members of Parliament, all of whom were ministers, failed to attend the forum.

He warned that such conduct would not be condoned and that such behaviour will be addressed immediately. The BPP has 34 elected Councillors and five MPs.

Mr Molapisi reminded delegates that every elected member was duty-bound to be a responsible leader who respects the people who had put them in power. He said voter neglect was the main reason BPP representation often failed to secure re-election or stay long in political office, adding that the party was monitoring the issue closely because it cannot afford to have members repeatedly rejected at the polls.

On national matters, Mr Molapisi urged Batswana not to despair over the UDC government’s pace in fulfilling its promises. He said it was an open secret that the new administration inherited numerous problems from the previous regime , therefore it will take time to adjust.

He said the UDC government had the interests of Batswana at heart and will not fail them. Its main goal, he said, was to improve living standards through better health infrastructure and social services and equitable distribution of resources.

He further informed delegates that the BPP would hold two more major conferences this year, one in May and an elective congress in July or August to elect a new national executive committee.

Mr Molapisi appealed to members to work with party leadership to retain all current seats in Council and Parliament and work on winning more seats. He said the anticipated growth will require aggressive recruitment of new members and full support for the coalition.

BPP Secretary General, Ms Mmantlha Sankoloba’s address primarily focused on true leadership.

Ms Sankoloba said a true leader listens to the people and does not take decisions alone.

She added that the leadership needed to win the next election must be trusted and must avoid promising the electorate heaven while the country faces financial crisis.

Beyond those traits, she said a true leader also shows integrity, accountability and humility.

“True leaders have vision, empower others, remain accessible, and build unity instead of division,” she said.ends