Botswana Patriotic Front

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 President Ian Khama and Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Botswana Patriotic Front
LeaderMephato Reatile
ChairpersonOboetswe Gabotlale
General SecretaryTshekedi Khama
FoundedJuly 2019
Split fromBotswana Democratic Party
IdeologyPro-Ian Khama[1]
Populism[2]
Ngwato interests
Political positionBig tent
National affiliationNone
Formerly: Umbrella for Democratic Change
(2022–2024)
National Assembly
4 / 57
Pan African Parliament
0 / 5
Election symbol
Website
www.bpf-party.co.bw
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History

The 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]

Election results

National Assembly
Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Status
2019 Biggie Butale 34,028 4.41%
3 / 57
 New 3rd Opposition

Election symbol

The 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.[7]

References
  1. "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.
  2. Ntshingane, Bakang (16 August 2019). "Is populism surging into Botswana politics?". Mmegi. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  3. "Botswana Patriotic Front ready for official launch". Daily News. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  4. "Botswana Patriotic Front president loses constituency". EWN. 24 October 2019.
  5. ""BPF is a member of UDC" – Mohwasa". Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  6. "BPF has decided to use own symbol come October elections". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  7. "BPF – Ke Nako". Botswana Patriotic Party. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
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