Botswana Democratic Party
Encyclopedia
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is the governing conservative party in Botswana
. Its chairman is Daniel Kwelagobe
.
BDP was shaped by Sir Seretse Khama, who is celebrated for nurturing the economic and political success of Botswana. The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it was sometimes referred to as "the Chief's party" (referring to Sir Seretse Khama
). At the last election
, the party won 53.26% of popular votes and 45 out of 57 seats. BDP candidate Ian Khama
is the current President of Botswana.
founded the party. Before independence was achieved in 1966, it was known as the Bechuanaland Democratic Party. On 30 September 1966, Khama's vision of independence became true. In the first general elections in 1965 it won 28 of 31 seats. Khama became the president of Botswana.
It has been the most popular party in every election since independence. Under the leadership of Botswana Democratic Party, economic development has outpaced even the Four Asian Tigers. Botswana has achieved high levels of development and democracy.
Festus Mogae
served as the country's president between 1998 ad 2008. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur
by French President Nicolas Sarkozy
on 20 March 2008 for his "exemplary leadership" in making Botswana a "model" of democracy and good governance. Mogae won the 2008 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
.
Ian Khama
, the son of former president Sir Seretse Khama, joined to the party ahead of the 1999 general elections. Currently the party is ridden by factions and observers predict that unless discipline is instilled, the party will split. One faction (calling itself Barata-Phathi) is led by Ponatshego Kedikilwe, and former Secretary General Daniel Kwelagobe, while the dominant faction (calling itself The A Team) is led by cabinet ministers Jacob Nkate and Mompati Merafhe. The A Team was formerly led by President Festus Mogae and his Vice-President Ian Khama. Both of them have since pulled out from leading factions even though they are still members of 'The A Team'.
On the first of April 2008, Ian Khama ascended to the presidency as the fourth President of the Republic of Botswana, as a result relinquishing his chairmanship of the Botswana Democratic Party. The vacant post was then undertaken by party stalwart and veteran Daniel Kwelagobe. In his inauguration address, Ian Khama outlined the National Vision 2016.
The party recently split with Barata phathi forming the Botswana Movement for Democracy and the A-Team and some of the other Barata Phathi members remaining within the BDP, this following the failed meditation talks between the factions by Sir K Masire
(former Botswana president).
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. Its chairman is Daniel Kwelagobe
Daniel Kwelagobe
Daniel Keatametse Kwelagobe is the current Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party and previously served as Minister for Presidential Affairs on two occasions...
.
BDP was shaped by Sir Seretse Khama, who is celebrated for nurturing the economic and political success of Botswana. The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it was sometimes referred to as "the Chief's party" (referring to Sir Seretse Khama
Seretse Khama
Sir Seretse Khama, KBE was a statesman from Botswana. Born into one of the more powerful of the royal families of what was then the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, and educated abroad in neighbouring South Africa and in the United Kingdom, he returned home—with a popular but controversial...
). At the last election
Elections in Botswana
Elections in Botswana have been held regularly since independence, and have been consistently judged free and fair by international observers....
, the party won 53.26% of popular votes and 45 out of 57 seats. BDP candidate Ian Khama
Ian Khama
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama is a Botswana politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe...
is the current President of Botswana.
History
In 1961, Seretse KhamaSeretse Khama
Sir Seretse Khama, KBE was a statesman from Botswana. Born into one of the more powerful of the royal families of what was then the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, and educated abroad in neighbouring South Africa and in the United Kingdom, he returned home—with a popular but controversial...
founded the party. Before independence was achieved in 1966, it was known as the Bechuanaland Democratic Party. On 30 September 1966, Khama's vision of independence became true. In the first general elections in 1965 it won 28 of 31 seats. Khama became the president of Botswana.
It has been the most popular party in every election since independence. Under the leadership of Botswana Democratic Party, economic development has outpaced even the Four Asian Tigers. Botswana has achieved high levels of development and democracy.
Festus Mogae
Festus Mogae
Festus Gontebanye Mogae is a Botswana politician who was President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He succeeded Quett Masire as President in 1998 and was reelected in October 2004; after ten years in office, he stepped down in 2008 and was succeeded by Lieutenant General Ian Khama...
served as the country's president between 1998 ad 2008. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
by French President Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
on 20 March 2008 for his "exemplary leadership" in making Botswana a "model" of democracy and good governance. Mogae won the 2008 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
Ibrahim Prize
The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership is awarded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation to African heads of state who deliver security, health, education and economic development to their constituents, and who democratically transfer power to their successor. It was sponsored by Mo...
.
Ian Khama
Ian Khama
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama is a Botswana politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe...
, the son of former president Sir Seretse Khama, joined to the party ahead of the 1999 general elections. Currently the party is ridden by factions and observers predict that unless discipline is instilled, the party will split. One faction (calling itself Barata-Phathi) is led by Ponatshego Kedikilwe, and former Secretary General Daniel Kwelagobe, while the dominant faction (calling itself The A Team) is led by cabinet ministers Jacob Nkate and Mompati Merafhe. The A Team was formerly led by President Festus Mogae and his Vice-President Ian Khama. Both of them have since pulled out from leading factions even though they are still members of 'The A Team'.
On the first of April 2008, Ian Khama ascended to the presidency as the fourth President of the Republic of Botswana, as a result relinquishing his chairmanship of the Botswana Democratic Party. The vacant post was then undertaken by party stalwart and veteran Daniel Kwelagobe. In his inauguration address, Ian Khama outlined the National Vision 2016.
The party recently split with Barata phathi forming the Botswana Movement for Democracy and the A-Team and some of the other Barata Phathi members remaining within the BDP, this following the failed meditation talks between the factions by Sir K Masire
Quett Masire
Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, GCMG was the second President of Botswana for the Botswana Democratic Party from 1980 to 1998. He stepped down and was succeeded by the then Vice-President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who became the third President of Botswana...
(former Botswana president).
Notable members
- Gaositwe K.T. ChiepeGaositwe K.T. ChiepeGaositwe Keagakwa Tibe Chiepe is a former Botswana politician and diplomat with the Botswana Democratic Party.-Education and early life:...
- Ponatshego KedikilwePonatshego KedikilwePonatshego Kedikilwe is a Botswana politician and member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. He has served as the Minister of Mineral Energy and Water Resources and MP for Mmadinare.-References:*...
- Sir Seretse KhamaSeretse KhamaSir Seretse Khama, KBE was a statesman from Botswana. Born into one of the more powerful of the royal families of what was then the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, and educated abroad in neighbouring South Africa and in the United Kingdom, he returned home—with a popular but controversial...
- Sir Quett MasireQuett MasireQuett Ketumile Joni Masire, GCMG was the second President of Botswana for the Botswana Democratic Party from 1980 to 1998. He stepped down and was succeeded by the then Vice-President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who became the third President of Botswana...
- Festus MogaeFestus MogaeFestus Gontebanye Mogae is a Botswana politician who was President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He succeeded Quett Masire as President in 1998 and was reelected in October 2004; after ten years in office, he stepped down in 2008 and was succeeded by Lieutenant General Ian Khama...
- Ian KhamaIan KhamaLieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama is a Botswana politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe...
- Daniel KwelagobeDaniel KwelagobeDaniel Keatametse Kwelagobe is the current Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party and previously served as Minister for Presidential Affairs on two occasions...