The just-ended Botswana National Front (BNF) Elective Congress in Palapye concluded with a decisive victory for the ‘Re Aga Tempele’ faction led by Moeti Mohwasa, leaving its rival ‘Stability & Continuation’ camp with just one representative in the party’s newly elected central committee. Of the two dominant slates that contested the elections, it was Mohwasa’s lobby, branded as ‘Re Aga Tempele’, that secured nearly all key leadership positions, marking a shift in the party’s internal power dynamics.
While Advocate Duma Boko retained his position as President unopposed, the battle lines were drawn across every other executive position, with Mohwasa defeating Nelson Ramaotwana for the influential Vice President post by 1,144 votes to 840. The chairmanship also went to the Re Aga Tempele team, with Moses Bantsi securing 1,091 votes against Tabona Masole’s 892. The hotly contested Secretary General position saw Dr Steven Modise clinch victory with 1,056 votes, defeating Ketlhalefile Motshegwa of the Stability & Continuation camp who garnered 954 votes.
The outcome was much the same across most portfolios, as Re Aga Tempele continued to dominate. Shawn Nthaile was elected Deputy Secretary General, beating Joram “JJ” Matomela with 1,062 votes to 905. Johannes Motsamai triumphed as Organizing Secretary with 1,215 votes, overwhelmingly defeating Odirile Kekgatlhegile who polled 761 votes. In the contest for Information and Publicity Secretary, Carter Joseph of Re Aga Tempele emerged victorious with 1,051 votes over Kago Mokotedi’s 937.
Arafat Khan of the Stability & Continuation camp won the position of Treasurer, defeating Letlhogonolo Barongwang with 1,003 votes to 977. Elsewhere, the Re Aga Tempele slate continued its dominance: Happy Bashe was elected Secretary for Health and Social Welfare, Bakang Lesole secured the International Affairs post, and Mompati Seleka beat Mothibinyane Kelesitse for Secretary of Political Education. Moses Chimbombi narrowly defeated Dr Moss Mokgolele for the Economic Affairs portfolio, while Lasten Modo edged Shane Kebadile for Labour Affairs.
Despite an aggressive campaign by the Stability & Continuation camp led by Ramaotwana and Motshegwa, delegates instead opted for the Mohwasa-led renewal faction. The results reflect an overwhelming appetite within the BNF base for internal transformation and a break from perceived stagnation. Notably, Khan was the only candidate from the Stability camp to make it into the Executive Committee.
The sweeping victory by Re Aga Tempele not only reshapes the BNF leadership but also shows the growing influence of Mohwasa within the party. The Palapye congress has decisively redrawn the party’s internal map.
