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{{Short description|Political party in Botswana}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox political party
{{Infobox political party
| country = Botswana
| country = Botswana
Line 4: Line 6:
| logo = Botswana Congress Party.png
| logo = Botswana Congress Party.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| leader = [[Dumelang Saleshando]]
| president = [[Dumelang Saleshando]]
| secretary_general = Dr [[Kesitegile Gobotswang]]
| secretary_general = Goretetse Kekgonegile
| blank1_title = Spokesperson
| chairman = Samuel Rantuana
| blank1 = Dithapelo Keorapetse
| split = [[Botswana National Front]]
| blank2_title = Administrative Secretary
| leader1_title = Vice-president
| blank2 = Thato Junior Osupile
| leader1_name = Taolo Lucas
| leader2_title = Publicity secretary
| leader2_name = Mpho Pheko
| foundation = {{start date|1998|6|20}}
| foundation = {{start date|1998|6|20}}
| national = ''None''<br />Formerly: [[Umbrella for Democratic Change]]<br />{{small|(2017–2022)}}<br>
| ideology = [[Social democracy]]
| ideology = [[Social democracy]]
| position = [[Centre-left]]
| position = [[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]
| seats1_title = [[Parliament of Botswana]]
| colours = {{color box|{{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Green]]
| seats1_title = [[National Assembly of Botswana|National Assembly]]
⚫
| seats1 = {{Infobox political party/seats|7|63|hex={{Botswana Congress Party/meta/color}}}}
| colorcode = {{Botswana Congress Party/meta/color}}
| seats1 = {{Infobox political party/seats|15|61|hex={{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
| national = [[Umbrella for Democratic Change]]
| seats2_title = [[Pan African Parliament]]
⚫
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|1|4|hex={{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20151002221053/http://botswanacongressparty.org.bw/ www.botswanacongressparty.org.bw]
| colorcode = {{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}
| website =
}}
}}


The '''Botswana Congress Party''' ('''BCP''') is a social-democratic [[political party]] in [[Botswana]]. The BCP was founded in 1998 in a split from the [[Botswana National Front]], with most of the BNF's sitting Members of Parliament joining the new party after a leadership dispute with [[Kenneth Koma]]. MPs who helped found the party included [[Michael Dingake]], [[Gilson Saleshando]], Paul Rantao, Maitshwarelo Dabutha, Isaac Mabiletsa and Vain Mamela. The BCP's first national conference was held in April 1999, before the [[Botswana general election, 1999|general election]] in October 1999.<ref name=Morton>{{cite book|first=Fred|last=Morton|first2=Jeff|last2=Ramsay|first3=Part Themba|last3=Mgadla|title=Historical Dictionary of Botswana|series=African Historical Dictionaries|volume=108|location=Metuchen, New Jersey|publisher=Scarecrow Press|edition=4th|year=2008|isbn=978-0-8108-5467-3|contribution=Congress Party|pages=77–8}}</ref>
The '''Botswana Congress Party''' ('''BCP''') is a [[social democracy|social democratic]] [[political party]] in [[Botswana]]. Founded in 1998 as a result of a split from the [[Botswana National Front]] (BNF), the party attracted most of the BNF's sitting [[Member of Parliament (Botswana)|MPs]] due to a leadership dispute involving the BNF's leader, [[Kenneth Koma]].


== History==
From 1998 to 2001 the BCP was led by [[Michael Dingake]]. In 2001 [[Otlaadisa Koosaletse]] became its leader. In 2005 Gilson Saleshando defeated Koosaletse to lead the party. It is affiliated with the New Democratic Front and the Social Democratic Party.
⚫
The BCP was formed by 11 sitting MPs and immediately became the official opposition in parliament. Party president [[Michael Dingake]] served as Leader of the Opposition until parliament was dissolved in advance of the 1999 general elections. In the 1999 general elections, the BCP won 11.9% of the vote and retained only one seat (out of 40). In the [[Botswana general election, 2004|elections]], 30 October 2004, the party won 16.6% of the popular vote and one out of 57 seats. The sole BCP member of parliament was Dumelang Saleshando, the son of then BCP president, [[Gilson Saleshando]].

⚫
The BCP was formed by 11 sitting MPs and immediately became the official opposition in parliament. Party president [[Michael Dingake]] served as Leader of the Opposition until parliament was dissolved in advance of the 1999 general elections. In the 1999 general elections, the BCP won 11.9% of the vote and retained only one seat (out of 40). In the [[Botswana general election, 2004|elections]], 30 October 2004, the party won 16.6% of the popular vote and 1 out of 57 seats. The sole BCP member of parliament was Dumelang Saleshando, the son of then BCP president, [[Gilson Saleshando]].


In 2009, the party contested the [[Botswana general election, 2009|2009 election]] in a pact with the [[Botswana Alliance Movement]]. However, talks to form an alliance with the Botswana National Front proved fruitless.
In 2009, the party contested the [[Botswana general election, 2009|2009 election]] in a pact with the [[Botswana Alliance Movement]]. However, talks to form an alliance with the Botswana National Front proved fruitless.


The 2009 elections proved a decisive success for the party. The BCP won 19.2% of the popular vote and 4 parliamentary seats. Its 19.2% popular vote makes it the third largest political movement in Botswana.<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bc.html</ref> The BCP retained the Gaborone Central constituency and won the Chobe, Okavango, and Selebi Phikwe West constituencies from the BDP. Pact partner BAM won 2.3% of the vote and defeated the former Minister of Education and Skills Development, Jacob Nkate, in the Ngami constituency. Despite its losses to the BCP, the BDP won enough constituencies from the BNF to increase its overall representation by one seat.
The 2009 elections proved a decisive success for the party. The BCP won 19.2% of the popular vote and four parliamentary seats. Its 19.2% popular vote makes it the third largest political movement in Botswana.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/botswana/ |title=Botswana |work=The World Factbook |date=3 February 2023 |publisher=[[CIA]]}}</ref> The BCP retained the Gaborone Central constituency and won the Chobe, Okavango, and Selebi Phikwe West constituencies from the BDP. Pact partner BAM won 2.3% of the vote and defeated the former Minister of Education and Skills Development, Jacob Nkate, in the Ngami constituency. Despite its losses to the BCP, the BDP won enough constituencies from the BNF to increase its overall representation by one seat.


In May 2010, the BCP and the BAM merged under the BCP label with a new party symbol that incorporates elements of the parent parties. Following the merger, the BCP controlled 5 seats in the National Assembly.
In May 2010, the BCP and the BAM merged under the BCP label with a new party symbol that incorporates elements of the parent parties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mmegi Online :: BCP,BAM Merge |url=http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=2402&dir=2010/May/Monday17 |website=Mmegi Online | date=17 May 2010 |access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref> Following the merger, the BCP controlled five seats in the National Assembly.
On 4 September 2010, the BCP contested by elections in Tonota North constituency with the support of the other three opposition parties, Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) and the BDP breakaway party [[Botswana Movement for Democracy]] (BMD). The BCP candidate increased her vote share slightly, to 36.1%, but lost to the ruling [[Botswana Democratic Party]] (BDP).The party recently lost a key member, Member of parliament for Okavango Hon [[Bagalatia Aaron]], who defected to the ruling [[Botswana Democratic Party]]
On 4 September 2010, the BCP contested by elections in Tonota North constituency with the support of the other three opposition parties, Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) and the BDP breakaway party [[Botswana Movement for Democracy]] (BMD). The BCP candidate increased her vote share slightly, to 36.1%, but lost to the ruling [[Botswana Democratic Party]] (BDP).The party recently lost a key member, Member of parliament for Okavango Hon [[Bagalatia Aaron]], who defected to the ruling [[Botswana Democratic Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |title='Arone joining BDP for the money' - Botswana Guardian |url=http://www.botswanaguardian.co.bw/news/item/1980-arone-joining-bdp-for-the-money.html |last=reporters |first=Justice Kavahematui &Nicholas Mokwena-BG |website=www.botswanaguardian.co.bw |language=en-gb |access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Arone finally leaves BCP for BDP |url=https://www.thegazette.news/news/arone-finally-leaves-bcp-for-bdp/15005/ |work=[[Botswana Gazette]] |language=en |access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>


==Notable members==
==Election results==
===National Assembly===
⚫
* [[Michael Dingake]]
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
⚫
* [[Gilson Saleshando]]
!Election
⚫
* [[Dumelang Saleshando]]
!Leader
* [[Taolo Lucas]]
!Votes
* [[Ephraim Setshwaelo]]
!%
* [[Bagalatia Aarone]]
!Seats
* [[Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang]]
!+/–
* [[Motsei Madisa-Rapelana]]
!Position
* Dick Bayford
!Status
* [[Dithapelo Keorapetse]]
|-
![[1999 Botswana general election|1999]]
⚫
|[[Michael Dingake]]
|40,096
|11.90%
|{{Composition bar|1|40|{{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
|''New''
|{{increase}} 3rd
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2004 Botswana general election|2004]]
|Otlaadisa Koosaletse
|68,556
|16.62%
|{{Composition bar|1|57|{{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
|{{steady}} 0
|{{steady}} 3rd
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2009 Botswana general election|2009]]
⚫
|Gilson Saleshando
|104,302
|19.15%
|{{Composition bar|4|57|{{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 3
|{{steady}} 3rd
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2014 Botswana general election|2014]]
⚫
| rowspan="3" | [[Dumelang Saleshando]]
|140,998
|20.43%
|{{Composition bar|3|57|{{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
|{{decrease}} 1
|{{steady}} 3rd
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2019 Botswana general election|2019]]{{efn|Run as part of the [[Umbrella for Democratic Change]] coalition.}}
|112,479
|14.57%
|{{Composition bar|11|57|{{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 8
|{{increase}} 2nd
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2024 Botswana general election|2024]]
|175,326
|20.99%
|{{Composition bar|15|61|{{party color|Botswana Congress Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 4
|{{steady}} 2nd
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|}
{{Notelist}}


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140516200052/http://botswanacongressparty.org.bw/ Botswana Congress Party website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140516200052/http://botswanacongressparty.org.bw/ Botswana Congress Party website]


{{Botswana political parties}}
{{Botswana political parties}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Political parties in Botswana]]
[[Category:Political parties in Botswana]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1998]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in Botswana]]
[[Category:Social democratic parties in Africa]]
[[Category:Socialism in Botswana]]

Latest revision as of 06:06, 30 November 2024

Botswana Congress Party
PresidentDumelang Saleshando
ChairmanSamuel Rantuana
Secretary-GeneralGoretetse Kekgonegile
Vice-presidentTaolo Lucas
Publicity secretaryMpho Pheko
FoundedJune 20, 1998 (1998-06-20)
Split fromBotswana National Front
IdeologySocial democracy
Political positionCentre-left
National affiliationNone
Formerly: Umbrella for Democratic Change
(2017–2022)
Colours  Green
National Assembly
15 / 61
Pan African Parliament
1 / 4

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is a social democratic political party in Botswana. Founded in 1998 as a result of a split from the Botswana National Front (BNF), the party attracted most of the BNF's sitting MPs due to a leadership dispute involving the BNF's leader, Kenneth Koma.

History

[edit]

The BCP was formed by 11 sitting MPs and immediately became the official opposition in parliament. Party president Michael Dingake served as Leader of the Opposition until parliament was dissolved in advance of the 1999 general elections. In the 1999 general elections, the BCP won 11.9% of the vote and retained only one seat (out of 40). In the elections, 30 October 2004, the party won 16.6% of the popular vote and one out of 57 seats. The sole BCP member of parliament was Dumelang Saleshando, the son of then BCP president, Gilson Saleshando.

In 2009, the party contested the 2009 election in a pact with the Botswana Alliance Movement. However, talks to form an alliance with the Botswana National Front proved fruitless.

The 2009 elections proved a decisive success for the party. The BCP won 19.2% of the popular vote and four parliamentary seats. Its 19.2% popular vote makes it the third largest political movement in Botswana.[1] The BCP retained the Gaborone Central constituency and won the Chobe, Okavango, and Selebi Phikwe West constituencies from the BDP. Pact partner BAM won 2.3% of the vote and defeated the former Minister of Education and Skills Development, Jacob Nkate, in the Ngami constituency. Despite its losses to the BCP, the BDP won enough constituencies from the BNF to increase its overall representation by one seat.

In May 2010, the BCP and the BAM merged under the BCP label with a new party symbol that incorporates elements of the parent parties.[2] Following the merger, the BCP controlled five seats in the National Assembly.

On 4 September 2010, the BCP contested by elections in Tonota North constituency with the support of the other three opposition parties, Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) and the BDP breakaway party Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). The BCP candidate increased her vote share slightly, to 36.1%, but lost to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).The party recently lost a key member, Member of parliament for Okavango Hon Bagalatia Aaron, who defected to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party.[3][4]

Election results

[edit]

National Assembly

[edit]
Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Position Status
1999 Michael Dingake 40,096 11.90%
1 / 40
 New Increase 3rd Opposition
2004 Otlaadisa Koosaletse 68,556 16.62%
1 / 57
 Steady 0 Steady 3rd Opposition
2009 Gilson Saleshando 104,302 19.15%
4 / 57
 Increase 3 Steady 3rd Opposition
2014 Dumelang Saleshando 140,998 20.43%
3 / 57
 Decrease 1 Steady 3rd Opposition
2019[a] 112,479 14.57%
11 / 57
 Increase 8 Increase 2nd Opposition
2024 175,326 20.99%
15 / 61
 Increase 4 Steady 2nd Opposition
  1. ^ Run as part of the Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Botswana". The World Factbook. CIA. 3 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Mmegi Online :: BCP,BAM Merge". Mmegi Online. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  3. ^ reporters, Justice Kavahematui &Nicholas Mokwena-BG. "'Arone joining BDP for the money' - Botswana Guardian". www.botswanaguardian.co.bw. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Arone finally leaves BCP for BDP". Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
[edit]
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