ELITE AFFAIR
Aspiring candidates for Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) leadership positions at the party’s December congress are calling for a reduction in nomination fees from P10 000 to P7 000, arguing that the current amount could shut out members from contesting.
The candidates say the fees are beyond their means in the current economic climate. They say the party could end up limiting leadership opportunities to those who have the financial resources to pay.
Some say the fees risk portraying the BPF as a party for the elite, arguing that ordinary members who wish to serve in leadership positions should not be disadvantaged because of their financial circumstances.
They believe reducing the fees by P3 000 would make the leadership race more accessible and allow more members to participate in the election of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
However, BPF Interim Secretary General, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho defended the fees, saying the party needs the money to finance its national congress scheduled for December 4 to 6 in Serowe.
Malefho dismissed the suggestion that the fees make the BPF a party for the wealthy, saying the party is made up of ordinary people and does not have millionaires.
He explained that the party was facing financial challenges and needed to raise funds to organise the congress, which will see members elect 17 positions in the NEC.
Malefho said the party had gone for years without holding a congress after its previous congress in Serowe was nullified by the courts, making the upcoming gathering important for electing its leadership.
He said the money was needed to cover the costs of transporting delegates to Serowe, accommodating them and providing meals throughout the congress.
“Life is hard at the moment,” Malefho said, acknowledging the economic difficulties while explaining the financial demands facing the party.
He said the party had tasked all regional committees with raising funds, with BPF structures across the country organising activities such as dinners and other fundraising initiatives to support its operations.
Malefho said the party’s financial resources were insufficient to meet the costs of organising the congress. He explained that political parties with Members of Parliament generally receive subscriptions from their elected representatives to help finance party activities.
The BPF currently has five MPs and some councillors contributing towards its operations, but Malefho said their contributions were not enough to meet the party’s financial needs.
Despite defending the current fees, Malefho said the party would consider reducing them if an alternative source of funding could be identified.
He said the matter would be considered by the NEC if those calling for a reduction proposed workable alternatives to raise the money required for the congress.
The debate follows an election writ issued by Malefho on October 21, setting out the requirements and nomination fees for members seeking positions in the NEC.
Under the writ, candidates contesting for president, vice president, national chairman, secretary general, treasurer, national organising secretary, and secretary for constitutional and legal affairs are each required to pay P10 000.
Candidates seeking the remaining positions will pay P2 500 per position.
The congress will be held in Serowe from December 4 to 6, with expressions of interest closing on November 20.
According to the writ, presidential candidates must have been members in good standing for at least two years, be citizens of Botswana, and secure the support of at least 50 delegates no later than 24 hours before the congress.
For other positions, any member in good standing may express interest.