Africa-Press – Botswana. In order to take the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) back to its glory days, the newly elected BDP president, Mr Mpho Balopi has underscored the need to trace its footsteps to the founding principles that promoted unity, stability and peace.
Addressing party members at the just ended 41st National Congress held in Maun over the weekend, he said the future of the BDP was in their hands, stating that the time for factions and internal fights was over.
He extended an invitation to former members who had been unjustly expelled and suspended from the party to retrace their steps with immediate effect so that they embark on the transformative drive of the party as a unit. Mr Balopi acknowledged that the party lost power after leading Batswana for 58 years and believed through cooperation and teamwork, they could take the party back into government in 2029.
“As the sixth president of BDP as an opposition party, I am going to be the first to take BDP back to power and I can manage that through your support and teamwork and I welcome all democrats who have been expelled and suspended to re-join the party so that we rebuild it together,” Mr Balopi said, emphasising the importance of national unity and true democracy, which he described as the foundation upon which the BDP was built.
He vowed to work closely with all party structures and all those who contested for party positions to protect the good reputation of the party. He appealed to the party followers to refrain from using statements that fuel division within the party calling them to be loyal to the party and to support those elected into structures.
He pledged to rebuild a party that respects democracy and puts Batswana’s interest above its own. Mr Balopi indicated that there would be an inaugural veterans conference after the winter season so that they recognise and appreciate their veterans citing that the summit would also serve as a platform to reflect on the party’s history, and discuss where the party lost its way.
He said the veterans would share advice and also elect their own structure, whose chairperson would be become ex-officio member of the Central Committee. Mr Balopi also appreciated the party founders’ contribution citing all previous presidents saying they have tirelessly worked for the growth of the party, indicating that they instilled the value of unity, which was key for the party’s historical success.
He underscored the need to review the party constitution to make it relevant to today’s reality as an opposition party saying initially, it was developed for a party in power. He cited that the constitution was silent on election of a vice president saying the president used his discretion to appoint the party chairman as his vice, which he termed unconstitutional.
Mr Balopi thanked BDP members for exercising their political right to elect a new central committee, appreciating that some members within the committee had a wealth of experience as they once sat in the previous executive committees. He cited himself as he served as the secretary general, the likes of the new secretary general and treasurer, Mr Kentse Rammidi and Mr Kagiso Mmusi among others.
In other positions, the Moshupa-Manyana area MP, Mr Karabo Gare was elected the party chairperson while Mr Bakani Thukuthe and Mr Tshepho Jim were elected deputy secretary general and deputy treasurer while Dr Alfred Madigele, Mr Baemedi Medupi, Ms Rubiena Kablay, Mr Akim Setswalo and Mr Duelang Setswalo claimed additional members’ seats respectively.
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