Botswana Patriotic Front

Political party in Botswana

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.bpf-party.co.bw

* Politics of Botswana
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Duma Boko
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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.

## History

[edit]

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

[edit]

### National 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  | Opposition

## Election symbol

[edit]

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

[edit]

1. ^ 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.
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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Political parties in Botswana

Parliamentary|

* Botswana Democratic Party
* Umbrella for Democratic Change
* BNF
* BPP
* AP
* Botswana Patriotic Front
* Botswana Congress Party

Extraparliamentary|

* Botswana Movement for Democracy
* Botswana Republican Party
* International Socialist Organisation

Defunct|

* Botswana Alliance Movement
* Botswana Independence Party
* Botswana Workers Front
* United Democratic Front
* MELS Movement of Botswana
* New Democratic Front

* Portal:Politics
* Lists of political parties
* Politics of Botswana

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