Botswana Patriotic Front

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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
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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

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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

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National Assembly

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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	Government

Election symbol

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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

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^ ^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.
^ Ntshingane, Bakang (16 August 2019). "Is populism surging into Botswana politics?". Mmegi. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
^ "Botswana Patriotic Front ready for official launch". Daily News. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
^ "Botswana Patriotic Front president loses constituency". EWN. 24 October 2019.
^ ""BPF is a member of UDC" – Mohwasa". Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
^ "BPF has decided to use own symbol come October elections". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
^ "BPF – Ke Nako". Botswana Patriotic Party. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

v t e 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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