The Botswana National Front (BNF) has resolved that expelled African Nation Congress (ANC) former youth league leader, Julius Malema, should not officiate at the party’s youth league congress because it could upset the BNF’s relationship with the ANC.
BNF leaders, among others, party President Duma Boko, Vice President Same Bathobakae and the party’s publicity secretary Moeti Mohwasa convened a meeting with the BNFYL at which a decision was taken that Malema may only address the party’s youth league congress privately.
“While the party appreciates the right of the Youth League to engage with individuals and speakers representing different viewpoints and skill sets in consonance with the party’s vision and values, it is important for the party to uphold and respect longstanding bilateral relationships with fraternal organizations,” reads a statement released by the party’s publicity chief, Mohwasa.
“In these regards, the party has resolved…that the Youth League is entitled to hold a private session with Julius Malema, which session shall not be part of the official business of the congress to be held on 1-2 June 2013,” The BNF further states.
However, in a separate statement released on the same day, the BNFYL has reiterated that Malema is still their guest speaker and further contend that the BNFYL is an autonomous auxiliary structure.
While Malema has been banished from the ANC and faces graft charges, to the BNFYL, he is an icon and champion of the downtrodden.
“The BNFYL takes this opportunity to officially inform BNF members throughout the country and the public at large that Comrade Julius Malema will take the podium as the guest speaker in a private session on the 1st of June immediately after the official opening…” reads a statement from one of the Youth’s league’s radicals, Malatsi Mokhubame.
Mokhubame is also the youth league’s secretary for political education.
The youth league says that the private session is part of the official opening agenda of the congress and should not be confused with a ‘non political meeting’.
“The private session referred to in a statement signed by our youth league secretary general Cde Arafat Khan and BNF spokesperson Cde Moeti Mohwasa is part of the official agenda of the congress and it should not be confused with a non political meeting,” states Mokhubami.
The BNF youth league thanks the party officials for initiating a discussion to deliberate on this matter.
