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Botswana: BCP Retains Central Committee
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
24 July 2008
Posted to the web 24 July 2008
Mqondisi Dube
Bobonong
The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has postponed its elections until after 2009.
The fourth national BCP congress in Bobonong resolved that current officials will only be replaced after next year's general elections.
BOTSWASEMA region chairperson, Nzwaligwa Nzwaligwa, said the party decided against holding internal elections to maintain stability ahead of the general elections. BOTSWASEMA represents the party's four regions, Bobonong, Tswapong, Selebi-Phikwe and Mmadinare. Nzwaligwa said the Francistown East constituency moved a motion to have the current committee continue until after the 2009 general elections. "We were supposed to hold elections but a motion was moved to have the current committee to continue in office until after the general elections. A resolution was passed which affirmed the motion in a move aimed at maintaining stability in the party," Nzwaligwa said. The party leader, Gilson Saleshando said while the BCP has enjoyed relative peace and stability, there are concerns regarding some members' behaviour. "Although we are a better party in terms of growth and stability, unprincipled behaviour from some of our members is causing concern. This unacceptable conduct is revealed especially during the time of primary elections," Saleshando said. He added that it was necessary for the BCP to act timeously before indiscipline brings to a halt good party programmes. Saleshando said regions and constituencies should be given special powers if necessary to deal with challenges as they arise.
The BCP resolved to consult with teachers' unions and organisations and formulate a programme geared at resolving issues that concern teachers. This followed a presentation to the congress by the Botswana Secondary Teachers Union (BOSETU) executive secretary, Justin Hunyepa. Hunyepa outlined a number of contentious issues affecting teachers, particularly those on working conditions. He said BOSETU will continue to engage politicians as a strategy of improving teachers' conditions. He emphasised that BOSETU is not aligned to any political party for fear of being derailed from its agenda.
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"The union will, however, welcome any organisation, including political parties that falls and rises with it," Hunyepa said in his address. He added that it was unfortunate that politicians and senior government officials had misinformed President Ian Khama and the cabinet about BOSETU. "The detractors have succeeded in convincing the government that BOSETU is anti-government. We still call upon the government to recognise teaching as an important stakeholder in our economy," Hunyepa said. He said BOSETU harbours intentions of enlisting international organisations to assist in the fight for teachers' rights, but meanwhile, the Ministry of Education should expeditiously address teachers' concerns.
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