The publicity secretary of the Botswana National Front Women’s Wing, Keneilwe Lekoba, says that they will be meeting “very soon” to deliberate on the issue of whether party president, Otsweletse Moupo, should step down. However, she could not say how soon that meeting would be.
“This is a burning issue and it is imperative that we meet and come up with a decision,” she says.
Though details remain unclear, another party structure, the Youth League, has publicly called for Moupo to resign. It is, however, understood that not everyone in the Youth League agrees with that position. Lekoba reveals that even with their own structure, members are divided over the issue.
“As we speak, there are voices within the Women’s Wing calling for Moupo’s resignation. There are also other voices saying that he should stay on as party leader. However, as a structure, we haven’t come up with an official position but this is a burning issue that we cannot ignore. The leadership forum, a very important structure that is provided for in the party’s constitution, has already met in Letlhakane and came to a decision. Another structure [the Youth League] has also made its position known; we should also do the same,” she says.
How soon her own structure would be meeting Lekoba could not say because the wing’s members are scattered all over the country. On that basis, the logistical choreography of convening meetings is a challenge. Some members, she says, live as far away as Gantsi and Francistown. The president of the wing lives in Serowe.
“We have not scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue but we recognise the need to do so,” she says.
Although she has her own personal views on the matter, Lekoba would not say what they are as she felt that would be improper.
“I cannot express my personal views because I am speaking to you as the publicity secretary of the Women’s Wing. I don’t want my personal views to be construed as those of the structure I represent,” she says.
Apparently, information does not flow easily within the BNF even for office holders who should keep communication lines open. Lekoba says that she is anxious to learn what decision the party’s central committee came to after a statement made on Btv by vice president, Olebile Gaborone. This was after the Letlhakane leadership forum and what Gaborone said was that the central committee would be meeting to discuss the recommendation that Moupo should resign.
“I am still waiting to hear what the central committee’s decision was. I’m sure other members are also anxious,” Lekoba says.
In reaction to that concern, Gaborone says that the central committee has not yet discussed the issue of Moupo’s resignation.
