Opinion divided over the nature of UDC membership
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is not in one accord regarding membership to the coalition with one section for the status quo that makes members affiliate through their individual parties, and the other demanding a constitutional provision that allows people to join the coalition directly.
Although the founding leaders of the coalition comprising Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Peoples’ Party (BPP) and Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), hinted at the possibility of direct membership of the UDC by individuals at the onset of the project in 2012, no timeframes were indicated as to when the transformation of the UDC was envisaged.
A source told The Midweek Sun that the debate is causing tension within the collective.
“Should the UDC also recruit and register members joining it directly, this dual membership will no doubt disempower the respective leadership structures of the contracting parties including the Central Committees and National Executive Committees (NEC).
“Indiscipline within the concerned parties will escalate to pandemic proportions. Individual members must continue to belong and account to their respective parties while the contracting members themselves continue to account to the UDC and party members as usual.
“It is not in our best interest as parties to create potential competition between the UDC and its affiliates which will be the case if direct membership to the UDC by individuals is allowed,” the source said.
Her view is that the proposed amendment would kill the UDC contracting parties because, a significant number of party members would likely prefer UDC membership to respective memberships of the parties.
The source argues that UDC should wait until stakeholders resolve to dissolve the individual members of the UDC and transform the collective into a party. A special dispensation was recently introduced where the three Members of Parliament (MPs) expelled from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) could join the UDC directly.
The UDC Head of Communications, Moeti Mohwasa denied knowledge of the alleged debate within the UDC regarding the nature of membership to be used.
“We are not aware of any ongoing debate on this matter as the UDC NEC meeting held on the 21st October resolved that we intensify recruitment and get our people to get both life and ordinary membership cards.
“The constitution provides for membership of the UDC in two forms; individual and group membership. This is the people's project and there is no way we can stop people from joining their organisation,” Mohwasa said.
However, a UDC official preferring anonymity confirmed that indeed there were disagreements on whether the status quo should obtain or whether change should happen.
“My view is that we need to revisit the matter and interrogate it as soberly as possible because each side has got its advantages and disadvantages,’’ he said, before wondering who would run the party primary elections, leadership elections, recruit members into the parties if the UDC competes with its members for membership.
An anonymous member in the UDC who does not sit in any of the party structures blames it all on the UDC Spokesperson, Mohwasa.
“Mohwasa has lost influence and control in the BNF as he is no longer the party secretary general. Now he is looking for influence in the UDC. The problem is that if you introduce direct membership to the UDC by individuals, you are effectively taking away the mandate of the various parties which is to mobilise membership and grow their parties. You are giving that mandate to the UDC,” the source said.
Mohwasa dismisses this charge as spurious allegations.
“I am a disciplined member who was deployed by the BNF to the UDC. So those peddling those allegations are sectarian and divisive elements. Those who make these allegations have to appreciate that not having been deployed as the BNF secretary general does not mean that I cannot be assigned any other position. I am not the first and neither am I going to be the last to be assigned after not having been successful at a congress,” Mohwasa stated.
Mohwasa said he did not join the BNF to lead or for prestige but to serve. He added, “My trail and history in the BNF will tell you that this party belongs to all of us and we have to strive for cohesion and unity. Divisions, gossip and factionalism are alien to the norms and culture of the BNF,” explained Mohwasa.
He suspects that “...those who peddle these allegations are on a self-serving agenda. A triumphant attitude will not help us. Equally, failure to accept congress outcome is not good for the organisation. These should be the cardinal principles when it comes to deployment,” the UDC mouthpiece said.