The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is a populist political party in Botswana formed in July 2019 by members of the Botswana Democratic Party who split from the party because of a high-profile rivalry between former presidents Ian Khama and Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Botswana Patriotic Front | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Mephato Reatile |
| Chairperson | Oboetswe Gabotlale |
| General Secretary | Tshekedi Khama |
| Founded | July 2019 |
| Split from | Botswana Democratic Party |
| Ideology | Pro-Ian Khama[1] Populism[2] Ngwato interests |
| Political position | Big tent |
| National affiliation | None Formerly: Umbrella for Democratic Change (2022–2024) |
| National Assembly | 5 / 61 |
| Pan African Parliament | 0 / 5 |
| Election symbol | |
 | |
| Website | |
| www | |
History
editThe party was officially launched in July 2019 as a split from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).[3] It was backed by former president and BDP leader Ian Khama after he left the party.[1]
In the October 2019 general elections, the party received 4.3% of the vote and won three seats, all in Khama's home area of Central District – Tshekedi Khama II elected in Serowe West, Leepetswe Lesedi in Serowe South and Baratiwa Mathoothe in Serowe North. However, party leader Biggie Butale failed to be elected in Tati West.[4]
On 6 August 2022, the BPF joined the Umbrella for Democratic Change alliance, at that time, uniting all opposition parties in the National Assembly except the Alliance for Progressives.[5] However, during a party retreat on the 6th of April 2024, the party left the alliance, opting for a "pact model" instead of running under the UDC symbol ahead of the 2024 elections.[6]
Ideology
editThe party focuses on reforms in the fields of healthcare, housing and education. It pledges to build 100,000 affordable houses and proposes a comprehensive health insurance package that would cover all citizens. It supports the mixed-member proportional representation system, and also plans to invest in AI, 5G networks and smart city projects.[7]
The Botswana Patriotic Front also wishes to introduce direct presidential elections, separate from the general elections. The party also proposes to introduce presidential advisory council for social groups such as the youth, women, the disabled and the working class. The party also postulates increasing old-age pensions and reducing the age threshold for the pension from 65 to 60 years. It also pledges to promote self-sufficiency of the Botswana's agriculture and food industry.[8]
Its voter base are primarily the Ngwato regions, where the party appeals to the Ngwato tribal and localist sentiments. Ian Khama campaigns on his position as the paramount chief of the Ngwato tribe, and one of the slogans of the BPF is "Not without my paramount chief". Apart from Ngwato people, the party also encompasses former members and dissidents from the Botswana Democratic Party.[9]
Election results
editNational Assembly
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Biggie Butale | 34,028 | 4.41% | 3 / 57
|
New |  3rd
|
Opposition |
| 2024 | Mephato Reatile | 69,414 | 8.31% | 5 / 61
|
2
|
 3rd
|
Government |
Election symbol
editThe Botswana Patriotic Front uses a clock with its arms pointing at 4 o'clock as its logo or election symbol. The clock is accompanied by the words Ke Nako, meaning "it is time" in Setswana.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "Khama officially quits BDP as new party is confirmed". Sunday Standard. 26 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ Ntshingane, Bakang (16 August 2019). "Is populism surging into Botswana politics?". Mmegi. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- ^ "Botswana Patriotic Front ready for official launch". Daily News. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "Botswana Patriotic Front president loses constituency". EWN. 24 October 2019.
- ^ ""BPF is a member of UDC" – Mohwasa". Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ "BPF has decided to use own symbol come October elections". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) Manifesto Highlights". The Botswana Gazette. 2024.
- ^ Shabani, Thamani (8 September 2019). "Patriotic front launches manifesto".
- ^ Brown, Christ; Cochrane, Logan (2019). "The 2019 Elections in Botswana: Context, History and Future". NokokoPod. 9 (1). Ottawa, Canada: Institute of African Studies: 26–29.
- ^ "BPF – Ke Nako". Botswana Patriotic Party. Retrieved 22 December 2023.