The BCP Leadership Forum is an opportunity for the party’s different layers of leadership to interact and discuss critical issues affecting both the party and the nation. The Forum was addressed by the President of the Party, Dumelang Saleshando, Secretary General, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, Vice President Lepetu Setshwaelo, Director of Elections, Steve Makhura and Chairman and party chief negotiator at the opposition Cooperation talks, Mr Batisani Maswibilili. The deliberations centred on party organization and membership recruitment, preparation for 2014 elections, opposition cooperation, strategic plan and the impending delimitation of constituencies.
After a day of intense deliberations and discussions, the following observations and recommendations were made by the forum:
The party recruitment drive and structure building should be intensified in line with the strategic plan adopted at the Francistown Conference of July, 2011. Constituencies that are lagging behind in membership recruitment will be provided with remedial interventions failing which they shall be assisted to prepare for the 2019 elections.
The party strategic plan roll out should be expedited and completed earlier than April, 2012 to allow for constituencies to work consistent with agreed upon guidelines.
The party structures should utilise the guidelines provided by the Director of Elections to prepare for the constituency and ward delimitation exercise that shall commence any time soon.
The forum appreciated the role played by the party negotiating team at the opposition cooperation negotiations and endorsed the position they are currently pursuing in respect of constituency allocation. The Forum however, expressed concern at the slow pace of the talks. The negotiating team was advised to work such that the 31st December, 2011 deadline for the conclusion of the talks as set out by the joint negotiating forum is achieved. It was the view of the Leadership Forum that the expeditious conclusion of the talks will assist cooperating parties to prepare for the 2014 general elections.
Lucas is BCP Information and Publicity Secretary
