We won’t go for congress rerun – Pilane
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Embattled Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) leader Sidney Pilane has vowed not to allow any mediator in the party impasse to allow them to hold a congress re-run following the recent disputed Bobonong one.
The umbrella of opposition parties in Botswana, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is expected to mediate between the two after receiving communication from both parties claiming to be the legitimate National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, with one led by Pilane and the other by Ndaba Gaolathe.
In his inaugural press briefing this week after the disputed congress, Pilane maintained that they will not allow for a re-run of the congress as they won fair and square in line with the constitution of the BMD. “Let me make it clear that we had a lawful congress at Matshekge CJSS in Bobonong. It has been called in terms of the constitution of the BMD by the National Executive Committee. All was done in accordance with our constitution and so, we will not agree to any suggestion by anybody to call another congress,” the BMD leader insisted to journalists earlier this week.
He however said they are prepared to compromise in terms of matters regarding which they have power to compromise that are outside the ambit of the movement constitution. He thus emphasized that: “what we cannot do is give anybody anything that we do not have the power to do. And what we cannot agree is to anything that we do not have the power to agree to it, and so even others we agree that they are thinking about us and might want to assist and it will be grateful, but they must understand that we are limited by the constitution of the BMD. We work within it, we stay within it, we live within it and we act in accordance with it at all times. It’s a matter we do not compromise.”
The Advocate asserted that they told Batswana that they would like to run this country and therefore should show to them that indeed they will run the country according to the law. The Constitution is never compromised, he stressed adding that Batswana need to know that when they elect them into government they will obey the law and run government affairs in terms of the law, and nobody should ask to compromise on the law to suit any party end.
In terms of suggestions that the UDC will intercede, Pilane said he does not recall UDC leader Duma Boko talking about two factions in the BMD. Instead, his recollection is that Boko pointed out that they have received two reports from two groups, both of whom claim to be BMD. And that he said they might call them. “The question now is; are we going to go there if the UDC calls? Yes, if the UDC calls we would go, to see what they would have called us for,” the highly decorated lawyer highlighted.
He however assured the briefing that no one will call BMD without its authority or blessing.
“We run this movement by a constitution. We have a constitution which governs the affairs of the movement. No other constitution does. And no other individual does. So anybody that wants to mediate between us obviously we would be very grateful. We will go wherever we are called. We shall hear whatever we will be called for. We have a discussion according as we might be invited. And we will state our position,” the controversial politician warned. Pilane also reiterated that in terms of the calls for a re-run of the congress, even if they are given money to hold the congress they will not hold that congress as they have already held one. “We have too much work to do to rebuild our movement,” he asserted.
Pilane discusses his association with DIS Director Isaac Kgosi
It is the Advocate’s contention that indeed he has relations with Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) Director Isaac Kgosi and he has represented him as a lawyer, and never did so for the DISS. “I practice law. I represent people who require representation. I do not care about your political affiliation or where you work, it is a matter which I have never compromised and I will never compromise,” he said of Isaac kgosi when quizzed by a pack of journalists who wanted the predicament explained. The quandary has mainly pitted him against some BMD members who despise his re-admission into the party citing his connections/relations with the notorious DISS.
Pilane also maintained that it was true that he had represented Isaac Kgosi and other BDP members when he was still a BDP member and added that he is still representing some BDP members, despite now being with the opposition. He stated that he can still represent the leader of the Secret Service, Kgosi should he need his services as a lawyer. He continued: “I can also represent President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama if he also requires legal representation even though he has destroyed our country.”
Says Ndaba faction approached a Judge to utilize for forum shopping
The Pilane faction has made speculations that the Ndaba led faction has approached a certain judge to place their case for forum shopping. However, Pilane has refused to name the said Judge. He said that the Ndaba faction had notified them of their intention to declare the recent congress nullified and call for a re-run of the elections. “In terms of the said Judge, we know the name of the Judge in question but we won’t reveal the name to you. But when they do go to court if they do go court we will know whether they got the judge they want or have failed to do so. And they should get the Judge who we know they want, we will act accordingly at the time,” Pilane told the press.
Pilane attacks opposition MPs in parliament for poor performance
The BMD leader expressed concern over the lack of vibrancy by the current crop of opposition legislators as opposed to the past. “There was a time when the opposition parliament was strong and vibrant. It was speaking for the people, expressing the feelings of Batswana, articulating them vibrantly in which they had an impact on the audience, Batswana in general. We need to hear you more. Perhaps we do not hear this or assess this issue the same way. But we don’t hear you comrades. We hear you too little,” he said.
The contentious politician also observed that “we need to hear you and see you make a difference. We need to be inspired. I am afraid I am little inspired. We want you to be as vibrant as the opposition parliament of Kenneth Koma, Paul Rantao, Maitshwarelo Dabhuta, Robert Molefabangwe, and others. They made noise and were vibrant, but were just a small number. But today, you are so much a larger number. Please be vibrant, with your intelligence, articulate issues that affect Batswana.”
The Advocate also weighed options of running for parliament in 2019
When asked on whether he has ambitions of running for parliament in the coming 2019 General Elections Pilane was cagey in his carefully articulated but loaded response. “Do I intend to run for parliament in 2019? I do not know. It’s not a matter I have thought about. It’s not a matter I have considered. I do not think the time for that decision has come. When the time comes, I will make it. I will see whether there is a constituency which I am interested in running. I will see whether people want me to run. And so, I have not yet made that decision. O mpotse tsa ko ke go tswang. Tsa ko ke yang ga di itse (I only know of my past but I cannot say the same about the future.)”
Other BMD issues…
He also warned that those other members from the other faction who are not entitled to call meetings, or call meetings without anyone’s authority will be dealt with when that time comes. “Those expelled also should re-apply into the party; I believe they will be re-admitted. But of course anyone joining the BMD, expelled or otherwise, has to commit their self to obey the constitution, and being disciplined. It goes without saying. They should always follow BMD constitution, rules and regulations as well as respect the structures.”
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In 2023, the Union put together grand music awards prized at a whooping P3 million. Indeed, the man working behind the awards, Seabelo Modibe of Total Music Group understood the assignment. For the very first time, BOMU awards left an impressive mark, leaving people murmuring.
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In the previous years, the Union has been clouded by dispute and back-and-forth. It was accused of being bungling, purposeless and served no interests of its members (artists). Following the effective execution of the eleventh music awards, artists progressively joined BOMU and the DBS roadshow added cherry on top.
Some of the artists who made it to the Top 30 of the DBS roadshows much-admired the platform, saying it played a major part in changing their lives. Some of them started getting booked, changed their mindsets and consider music as a business entity.
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When speaking in an interview with WeekendLife, BOMU Secretary General Rasina Rasina said the roadshow is actually a blessing in disguise, as it was initially considered a tall show.
“This is a much-needed platform for a sector that has been deteriorating over the years. We believe it is here to resurrect the music industry. The DBS roadshow cultivate talent from scratch and nurtures it. This will help us as a Union to have a solid foundation and as BOMU, as we are highly appreciative.”
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“We have learnt from past challenges. We do not pay artists but we assist them with transportation funds to mobilize them to attend the roadshow and showcase. What we offer them is not payment. We ensure their participation, transport mobilization and feeding. They compete, showcase and get the platform they need. We partner with them to deliver a product. Essentially, there is a car, a record deal, airtime deal and cohesion.”
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