The BCP has elected a new central committee to steer the party towards the 2029 General Elections, with Dumelang Saleshando retaining the presidency and Dr Unity Dow emerging as his deputy GAZETTE REPORTER The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has ushered in a new central committee t …
… The incumbent, Taolo Lucas, is defending his position against fellow Member of Parliament, Unity Dow in what is widely regarded as one of the conference's headline contests. …
… The incumbent, Taolo Lucas, is defending his position against fellow Member of Parliament, Unity Dow in what is widely regarded as one of the conference's headline contests. …
… The contest pits Dr Unity Dow, against incumbent vice president Mr Taolo Lucas, in a battle expected to test the influence of the party’s most prominent figures. …
… For months, Unity Dow’s team has maintained a visible presence across the country, appearing at public gatherings, media events, and internal party meetings. …
… Sources close to the Lucas campaign told WeekendPost that, although none of the MPs have publicly announced their backing, these internal endorsements have notably strengthened Lucas’s position in what is expected to be a closely contested race against Unity Dow, Member of Parlia …
Dr. Unity Dow, a former High Court judge and human rights advocate, was elected Vice President of the Botswana Congress Party at its elective congress in Mogoditshane during the President's Holidays in 2026, defeating Taolo Lucas by 100 votes (942 to 842). The close result and factional divisions within the party underscore ongoing tensions between competing leadership camps.
Dr. Unity Dow, a former High Court judge and human rights advocate, was elected Vice President of the Botswana Congress Party at its elective congress in Mogoditshane during the President's Holidays in 2026, defeating Taolo Lucas by 100 votes (942 to 842). The close result and factional divisions within the party underscore ongoing tensions between competing leadership camps.
The BCP internal election was contested by two campaign groups, with Dow defeating Lucas for vice presidency (942 to 842 votes) and Kekgonegile retaining secretary general (891 to 877 votes). Although Dow won the vice presidency, candidates aligned with Taolo's team won the majority of positions, with members voting based on individual candidates rather than along strict team lines.
Dow has been elected BCP vice president, marking a significant milestone for women's representation in Botswana's political leadership. She becomes the third woman to hold a vice presidential position in a political party, following Kathleen Letshabo and Same Bathobakae of the BNF.
The Botswana Congress Party faces its most critical elective congress yet, with a showdown between continuity and renewal threatening to test party unity as it plans for 2029.
Botswana's main opposition party, the BCP, is holding a conference in Mogoditshane to elect new national leadership amid unprecedented internal divisions. The party's traditionally calm electoral culture has eroded, with rival campaign teams and public attacks escalating despite senior leaders' appeals for issue-based campaigns.
The main opposition party's conference in Mogoditshane will elect new national leadership amid deep internal divisions and open factional contests. The party has abandoned its tradition of calm internal elections, with rival camps publicly campaigning and intensifying rhetoric as candidates compete for positions including vice president.
Delegates of the Botswana Congress Party will vote at a conference this weekend to choose between Lucas and Dow for one of the party's most important leadership positions. The outcome is expected to shape the BCP's next leadership and its preparations for the 2029 General Election.
Delegates at a BCP conference this weekend will vote to determine which of two influential politicians—Lucas or Dow—wins a key party leadership position. The outcome is expected to shape the BCP's next leadership and preparations for the 2029 General Election; former Cabinet Minister Dow joined the party in 2023 after leaving the BDP and won a parliamentary seat under the BCP ticket.
The Botswana Congress Party will hold an elective congress over the long weekend (July 18–21) at Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School to elect office bearers for six positions. Party leader Dumelang Saleshando's seat will not be challenged, but contested races include the vice presidency race between Dr Unity Dow and incumbent Taolo Lucas, and the chairperson position with three candidates.
Two competing teams within the Botswana Congress Party are intensifying campaigns to gain support from members and delegates ahead of pivotal party elections. Unity Dow's team has pursued a high-profile strategy with public events and media appearances, while Taolo Lucas' team has focused on direct engagement with party members.
Taolo Lucas, Botswana Congress Party vice presidential candidate, has reportedly won the support of at least six Members of Parliament in his campaign against Unity Dow, Member of Parliament for Kgatleng West. The Lucas campaign is targeting additional influential party figures as it seeks to strengthen its position ahead of the elective congress.
The BCP, traditionally known as a disciplined party that managed internal competition privately, is experiencing unprecedented public conflict as members clash openly and organised factions formally campaign ahead of the party's July elective conference in Mogoditshane. Party observers have raised concerns about whether the Central Committee can contain the situation.