- Outlines vision for resilient and well-funded BNF ahead of 2029 elections
Botswana National Front (BNF) Member of Parliament for Molepolole North, Arafat Khan, has officially declared his candidacy for the position of BNF Treasurer ahead of the party’s Elective Congress in July 2025.
Khan, a long serving party member, says he is committed to strengthening the financial backbone of the BNF to ensure its growth and success in the next general election.
Khan emphasised his deep-rooted connection to the BNF and its ideals, saying his political journey has been shaped by the party’s commitment to justice, human rights, and social democracy.
“For many years, I have dedicated my life to the Botswana National Front. This movement is not just a political party; it is a force for change and social justice.
“Our rich history, built on the ideals of fairness and democracy, deserves to be preserved and strengthened. My mission as Treasurer will be to ensure that our financial resources match our ambitions,” he stated.
Khan praised the work of the outgoing Treasurer, Noah Salakae, and revealed that he initially consulted with him before deciding to contest.
“I hold Comrade Salakae in the highest regard. He has played a crucial role in ensuring that the party remains financially stable. If he had wished to continue in this role, I would not have contested, out of respect for him and his contribution to the BNF. However, after engaging with the party’s structures and members, I have decided to step forward,” Khan said.
Khan has outlined a plan to improve the BNF’s financial standing, including mobilisation of resources for the long-awaited construction of the party headquarters, Kopano House, within the first 100 days of assuming office.
“A party of BNF’s stature must have a permanent home. I pledge to mobilise the necessary resources to ensure that Kopano House is built within my first 100 days in office,” he declared.
He also emphasised the need to expand the party’s presence nationwide by establishing regional offices in key areas across Botswana.
“We must ensure that the BNF is not just strong in selected areas, but across the country. That is why I will work to set up fully functional regional offices, particularly in Maun and Francistown, so that our structures are well supported ahead of the 2029 elections,” Khan explained.
Khan revealed that in anticipation of his role, he has already secured an interim office space for the BNF Secretariat. He has since presented this proposal to the party’s Central Committee for approval.
While acknowledging the contributions of MPs and councillors through party subscriptions, Khan believes that the BNF must expand its financial base by introducing new revenue-generating initiatives.
“We can no longer depend solely on contributions from our public representatives. The BNF must establish business ventures that will generate income for the party on a sustainable basis.
“We need a long-term strategy to ensure that the party can fund its campaigns and activities without financial strain,” he stated.
Khan also pledged to work closely with BNF regional and constituency treasurers to develop fundraising strategies tailored to different areas.
“The BNF belongs to its members, and they must be active participants in ensuring its financial stability. As Treasurer, I will collaborate with regional and constituency Treasurers to come up with innovative ways to raise funds for the movement. Our financial strength will determine our ability to contest and win elections,” he said.
A key part of Khan’s vision is ensuring that every constituency and ward allocated to the BNF under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) bloc is adequately funded for the next general elections.
“We must prepare now for 2029. That means securing funding for all the constituencies and wards where we did not win in 2024. We must build strong campaign structures and provide the necessary resources for our candidates to succeed. This is not just about contesting elections; it is about winning them,” he stressed.
Khan also mentioned the need to invest resources in historically challenging areas, such as the North West and the Northern regions, where the party aims to expand its influence.
Khan reaffirmed his dedication to the party’s principles and its members, stating that the BNF has always been a movement of progressive thinkers committed to justice and democracy.
“The BNF has a legacy of resilience. We have faced challenges, but we have always emerged stronger. Our members have stood by this party because they believe in its mission.
“I am ready to take on the responsibility of ensuring that our financial systems are robust enough to support the party’s growth and its ultimate goal of consolidating state power,” he said.
Khan is expected to officially launch his campaign once the BNF Central Committee issues a notice for the Elective Congress.
Until then, he will engage with party members and structures to further refine his vision for a financially empowered BNF.
Khan, a long serving party member, says he is committed to strengthening the financial backbone of the BNF to ensure its growth and success in the next general election.
Khan emphasised his deep-rooted connection to the BNF and its ideals, saying his political journey has been shaped by the party’s commitment to justice, human rights, and social democracy.
“For many years, I have dedicated my life to the Botswana National Front. This movement is not just a political party; it is a force for change and social justice.
“Our rich history, built on the ideals of fairness and democracy, deserves to be preserved and strengthened. My mission as Treasurer will be to ensure that our financial resources match our ambitions,” he stated.
Khan praised the work of the outgoing Treasurer, Noah Salakae, and revealed that he initially consulted with him before deciding to contest.
“I hold Comrade Salakae in the highest regard. He has played a crucial role in ensuring that the party remains financially stable. If he had wished to continue in this role, I would not have contested, out of respect for him and his contribution to the BNF. However, after engaging with the party’s structures and members, I have decided to step forward,” Khan said.
Khan has outlined a plan to improve the BNF’s financial standing, including mobilisation of resources for the long-awaited construction of the party headquarters, Kopano House, within the first 100 days of assuming office.
“A party of BNF’s stature must have a permanent home. I pledge to mobilise the necessary resources to ensure that Kopano House is built within my first 100 days in office,” he declared.
He also emphasised the need to expand the party’s presence nationwide by establishing regional offices in key areas across Botswana.
“We must ensure that the BNF is not just strong in selected areas, but across the country. That is why I will work to set up fully functional regional offices, particularly in Maun and Francistown, so that our structures are well supported ahead of the 2029 elections,” Khan explained.
Khan revealed that in anticipation of his role, he has already secured an interim office space for the BNF Secretariat. He has since presented this proposal to the party’s Central Committee for approval.
While acknowledging the contributions of MPs and councillors through party subscriptions, Khan believes that the BNF must expand its financial base by introducing new revenue-generating initiatives.
“We can no longer depend solely on contributions from our public representatives. The BNF must establish business ventures that will generate income for the party on a sustainable basis.
“We need a long-term strategy to ensure that the party can fund its campaigns and activities without financial strain,” he stated.
Khan also pledged to work closely with BNF regional and constituency treasurers to develop fundraising strategies tailored to different areas.
“The BNF belongs to its members, and they must be active participants in ensuring its financial stability. As Treasurer, I will collaborate with regional and constituency Treasurers to come up with innovative ways to raise funds for the movement. Our financial strength will determine our ability to contest and win elections,” he said.
A key part of Khan’s vision is ensuring that every constituency and ward allocated to the BNF under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) bloc is adequately funded for the next general elections.
“We must prepare now for 2029. That means securing funding for all the constituencies and wards where we did not win in 2024. We must build strong campaign structures and provide the necessary resources for our candidates to succeed. This is not just about contesting elections; it is about winning them,” he stressed.
Khan also mentioned the need to invest resources in historically challenging areas, such as the North West and the Northern regions, where the party aims to expand its influence.
Khan reaffirmed his dedication to the party’s principles and its members, stating that the BNF has always been a movement of progressive thinkers committed to justice and democracy.
“The BNF has a legacy of resilience. We have faced challenges, but we have always emerged stronger. Our members have stood by this party because they believe in its mission.
“I am ready to take on the responsibility of ensuring that our financial systems are robust enough to support the party’s growth and its ultimate goal of consolidating state power,” he said.
Khan is expected to officially launch his campaign once the BNF Central Committee issues a notice for the Elective Congress.
Until then, he will engage with party members and structures to further refine his vision for a financially empowered BNF.
