BPP seeks to expand its territory
The Botswana People’s Party (BPP) has embarked on an ambitious mission to increase its visibility and grow its support base in the southern part of the country. Party President Motlatsi Molapisi revealed that they have identified the right individuals to lead this expansion drive.
In an interview with The Voice on Monday, Molapisi said that contrary to popular belief, the BPP is a national party.
“We’re not a regional party, as many claim. It has always been our mission to revive our structures in the south, and fortunately, we’ve finally found the right people to help us do that,” he said.
The veteran politician added that strengthening the BPP’s presence in the south would in turn bolster the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), of which the BPP is a member.
“We can’t remain thin on the ground, as our intention is to be able to field candidates in all constituencies should the need arise,” said Molapisi.
Described by UDC leader Duma Boko as possessing emotional intelligence, strategic acumen, and the ability to navigate adversity, Molapisi said the BPP has always been a revolutionary movement, although it lost momentum after the death of its founding leader, Philip Matante.
“The mistake the party made was that Matante became more popular than the party itself. The holding centre of any political party must be its structures, so that even when its leader dies, the party remains,” opined Molapisi.
He emphasized that the BPP will remain a Pan-African organization, committed to advocating for citizens’ rights, especially land ownership.
“We’re focused on building structures and restoring the BPP to what it once was, a radical organization,” he said.
Founded in 1960, the BPP made history when its president, Philip Matante, became the first Member of Parliament for Francistown and the Leader of the Opposition at independence in 1966. However, his death in 1979 created a power vacuum that led to the reversal of many of the gains the party had made.
