WAY TO 2024

- In this encounter, former president of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), Biggie Butale discusses his new project, the Botswana Republican Party (BRP) with Edward Mpoloka of The Midweek SunSun: What are the colours, slogan of the BRP and what do they mean?Butale: Our party colours are in this order: Navy is the predominant colour followed by white then a tinge of red. Navy creatively represents a serious and professional part of the people, demonstrating our commitment to changing lives especially those of our youth who constitute over 60 percent of the population.We stand for social justice as our people for many years have been ill-treated by the current administration. The Red colour symbolises the hard times our people have fallen upon and their bleeding hearts. We want to free them from the hardships they have been and remain subjected to. This goes for all genders. It also goes for children and the elderly, marginalised, less privileged, disabled. The list goes on and on! In short, the colour Red shows our determination to bring about change. The White colour simply signifies peace and prosperity that we yearn for as Batswana.Our symbol, which is very unique, tells a very interesting story. Historically a horn was used by Dikgosi to summon the community (Morafe) to assemble at the kgotla for meetings. That is what the horn on our symbol represents; a call to the Nation for regime change among others. It is synonymous with our African culture and spiritual connotations. If you check the holy book many senior prophets had a horn. That is where we derived inspiration!Sun: When is the party going to be launched?Butale: The party will be launched either late this year, failing which it will be unveiled in the new year.Sun: Botswana has got several small parties with a very little following. What approach are you going to use to attract better membership in terms of numbers?Butale: The BRP ideology will appeal to a lot of people including the elders and youth alike. This is because, we are still as clean as still water. We have a base of members to build on from our previous party (BPF) and more are joining. We will also use the various approaches and strategies to win the hearts of the people. Allow me to not divulge all these lest our competitors beat me to my game.Sun: Why did you decide to form a new party instead of joining any of the existing parties, and which coalition are you likely to join UDC or BCP?Butale: We formed a new party because that is what was decided by the majority of our members who were aggrieved by the decision to take their former party (BPF), into the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) without consultation. It is not an easy thing to join another party because we differ in many respects including things such as ideology, colours, slogans, symbols, as well as the aims and objectives, as well as management styles. As the BRP, we are still hopeful that there is time for all the coalitions to come together to agree on a better, democratic, transparent and credible way of working together to unseat the BDP. As such, we are steadfast in removing all issues that are not democratic and transparent within the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), we should also be seen to be transparent in the manner in which we want to unseat the BDP.Sun: Does the BRP have any policies which are different from those of the other parties. If so, what are they?Butale: We are definitely going to develop policies for the betterment of Batswana and these will be built around Land, the Sun, Tourism and Minerals. These are the beautiful factor endowments that were given to us by God for free. The current government is not exploring them enough to create an economic system that will address credibility issues affecting this country.Sun: Is opposition cooperation a priority for the BRP? Can your party survive alone?Butale: Let me reiterate that as BRP, we are fully behind any party that will work towards enhancing transparency and the credibility of our electoral process. A case in point being the ongoing UDC and IEC at the courts. We have seen how the misconduct of elections have caused instabilities in other countries and we do not want that to happen in our country. We should continuously and jealously guard against any threat to the peace given to us by our forefathers. Let me urge Batswana to go and register to vote because it is their vote that can give them the social justice that they so much desire.Sun: Is a coalition between the BDP and BRP a possibility?Butale: Opposition cooperation is a priority to us as BRP. It is the how that needs to be addressed. We need to come to the table with honesty and transparency and put the country first and not our own personal interests. We cannot survive alone in 2024 but we can pull surprises just like we did at the BPF in 2019.Sun: You may be aware that some believe that you formed the BRP because you are power hungry, is this true?Butale: Well, those who say I am power-hungry, may say so. The truth though is that, I am not. Should I allow myself to be removed from my seat through an unconstitutional process and do nothing about it just because people say I am power-hungry? Let them say what they want to say. I know my rights and will not allow anyone to trample on them. I will die fighting for my rights. I am not a coward.Sun: Is the BRP contesting the 2024 general elections?Butale: Yes, we are a fully registered party that has all it requires to contest the elections.

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WAY TO 2024