Our History – Okavango Human Wildlife Foundation

GD Boko for President of Botswana

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Our History

The Character of BNF

The BNF is a progressive popular democratic movement that embraces within itself diverse political and ideological tendencies whose unifying platform is the social democratic programme. To guarantee its mass character, the BNF allows progressive mass organisations such as working class organisations, trade unions, educational clubs, women’s groups, peasants associations, student movement or progressive parties to join or affiliate to it as group members. Individual members may organise themselves into temporary groupings, tendencies or platforms for the purpose of persuading other members to adopt their point of view, provided however that such temporary groupings or tendencies shall use normal democratic methods for campaigning for their ideas and shall operate in an open and transparent manner, provided further that such tendencies shall not crystallise into more or less exclusive factions which counterposes themselves to the rest of the party and destabilise it.

The Central Committee shall ensure that whenever there is a controversial question being discussed by the party, minority platforms or tendencies shall be given an opportunity to present their views before the rest of the membership.

The BNF shall operate on democratic principles in all its structures, and the minority shall be bound by the decision of the majority provided however that the minority shall have the 6 right to democratically lobby for its views in a manner that does not undermine the unity of the movement.

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Structure of the Botswana National Front

Structure of the BNF

The BNF structure consist of the following:

National Congress

Central Committee

Executive Committee

National Conference

Regional Congress

Regional Executive Committee

Regional Conference

Constituency Conference

Constituency Committee

Constituency Executive Committee

Ward Annual General Meeting

Ward Committee

Cell Committee

National Congress

There shall be a National Congress of the BNF (hereinafter called the “Congress”), which will be the supreme organ of the BNF. Delegates to the Congress shall be composed of the Central Committee and five delegates from each ward. Auxiliary bodies and group members shall each be represented at the Congress by 30 delegates. The quorum of the National Congress shall be simple majority of such parliamentary constituencies as may have been established for purposes of Botswana’s General Elections. The Congress shall elect the Central Committee comprising of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary General, the Treasurer and the National Chairperson, together with other members as may be determined by this Constitution. When calling for the holding of the Congress, the Central Committee shall be responsible for the agenda that it proposes to guide the work of the Congress. The Congress shall have the power To confirm, amend repudiate or revoke any decision made by any organ of the BNF and its group members.

To evaluate the work of the Central Committee, consider and adopt reports and resolutions. To determine the basic orientation of the BNF and to decide on all important matters of internal policy and the basic courses of activity in national and international affairs. To formulate the policy of the BNF and to review and assess the overall activity and developments between two Congresses. To adopt and amend the Constitution of the BNF; a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes of delegates present and voting shall be required for such purpose. To decide upon and amend the programme of the BNF. The Congress shall be convened by the Central Committee and held once every three (3) years.

PROVIDED that the period may be extended to ensure that the Congress does not fall within an election year.

PROVIDED FURTHER that an Extra Ordinary National Congress may be convened as may be necessary. An Extra-ordinary National Congress of the BNF; may be convened by the Central Committee on its own initiative, or at the request of at least two-thirds of national constituencies. The Extra Ordinary National Congress shall be held not later than three (3) months after the requisition referred to at 11.9 above. The agenda of an Extra Ordinary National Congress shall be proposed by the initiators of such a Congress;

The Extra Ordinary National Congress shall be held not later than three (3) months after the proposal for its convocation has been made. The number of delegates to the Extra Ordinary National Congress shall be composed of the Central Committee; five (5) delegates from each ward; thirty (30) members from each auxiliary body and each group member.

There shall be the Central Committee of the BNF, which shall be composed of the following:

President

Vice President

Secretary General

Deputy Secretary General

Treasurer

Chairperson

Organising Secretary

Secretary for Political Education

Secretary for Information and Publicity

Secretary for International Affairs

Secretary for Labour Affairs

Secretary for Health and Social Welfare

Secretary for Economic Affairs

Secretary Women Affairs

Secretary for Youth Affairs

Three (3) additional members appointed by the President

The point of using dummy text for your paragraph is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters. making it look like readable English.
Members of the Central Committee, thirty percent (30%) of which shall be women, shall be elected by Congress, and shall hold office until the next Congress.
The quorum of the Central Committee shall be a simple majority of its members.
The validity of any act or proceeding of the Central Committee or any lower Committee shall not be affected by any vacancy among its members or by any defect in the appointment of a member thereof.

Duties of the Central Committee:

The Central Committee shall provide the overall political leadership of the BNF.
The Central Committee shall convene the National Congress and other meetings of the BNF.
The Central Committee shall approve members for all its sub-committees, the terms or reference, and the programme of action for such sub-committees.
The Central Committee shall set up other organs that are necessary for the smooth running of the BNF, and direct their activities.
The Central Committee shall promulgate policy over the distribution of personnel and funds of the BNF.
The Central Committee shall represent the BNF in its relations with other political parties and organisations.
The Central Committee shall, according to its needs, appoint commissions to undertake tasks of a specified nature.
Powers of the Central Committee
The Central Committee shall have the power to request the attendance of any person to act as adviser at a meeting of the Central Committee or lower committee, and that person while so attending shall have all the powers of a member except he/she shall not vote on any question and his/her presence at the meeting shall not count towards the constitution of a quorum.
The Central Committee shall have the power to expel any member of the BNF on recommendations from his/her respective Region and or the National Disciplinary Committee or on its own initiative.
The Central Committee shall have power to suspend any member of the BNF for misconduct or violation of the Constitution on the recommendation of his/her respective region, National Disciplinary Committee and or on its own initiative.
The Central Committee shall have the power, where it is of the opinion that to do so would be in the best interest of the BNF, to dissolve any lower structure of the BNF and to appoint interim structures for the governance of BNF provided that such interim structures shall be replaced by duly elected structures within a period not exceeding six calendar months.
The Central Committee shall have the power to set aside and or vary any decision of any lower structure of the BNF on its own initiative and or on representation by the respective Regional Committee.
The Central Committee shall have power to set up such organs as it deems necessary in furthermore of the policy and programme of the BNF.

Establishment of Central Committee Sub-Committees :

All Secretaries, except the Secretary General, shall each appoint in terms of Article 12.5.4, a sub-committee which shall be charged with the responsibility of helping such Secretary in the day-to-day running of his/her office.
Each sub-committee established under Article 12.7 shall meet at least quarterly.
Each Secretary shall submit a quarterly report in writing to the Secretary General covering his/her work.

Election of the Central Committee :

A minimum of three (3) years of membership in the BNF shall be required for a member to be eligible for election into the Central Committee, unless the Congress decides otherwise.
Save as is provided in terms of the proviso hereunder, members of the Central Committee shall be elected by secret ballot in such manner as may be provided by the Central Committee in the regulations and standing orders.

The Executive Committee shall be constituted by the President, Vice President, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Treasurer and the National Chairperson.

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the day to day running of the affairs of the BNF.

Subject to Article

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the distribution of personnel and funds of the BNF in consultation with the Central Committee
The Executive Committee shall advise the Central Committee on courses of action respecting any matter of interest to the BNF.
The Executive Committee shall have power to make rules and regulations to govern the day to day functioning of the BNF provided that in the exercise of such power, the Executive Committee shall report and be accountable to the Central Committee.
The executive Committee shall have the power, if in its opinion it is necessary for the protection of the interest of the BNF to do so, to take interim measures to protect the interest of the BNF pending the convening of the Central Committee and or any relevant structures. Such measures shall include but not limited to the suspension of any member or members, the ordering of any structure of the BNF to desist from discharging its functions and or conducting itself in any specified manner.
Where the Executive Committee has exercised the power conferred by Article 13.6, it shall report same to the Central Committee within two calendar months and the Central Committee shall deal with the report from the Executive Committee as it deems fit including but not limited to confirming, setting aside and or varying the decision of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee shall meet at such times as the needs of the party dictates and its meetings shall be convened by the President or any other members mandated by the President.
The quorum of the Executive Committee shall be 3 members, including the Secretary General or Deputy Secretary General.
The Executive Committee shall be responsible for putting into practice all decisions, resolutions and directives of the Central Committee.
The Executive Committee shall have power to summon extra-ordinary meetings of the Central Committee.

There shall be a National Conference of the Front to be held in July of every year provided that where it coincides with the National Congress in any year it shall not be held.
Delegates to the National Conference shall be the Central Committee, 5 delegates from each ward, and 30 delegates from auxiliary bodies and group members.
The National Conference shall receive reports from Regions, motions and review such reports and determine the progress of the BNF and make such resolutions as are appropriate for upholding the policies and principles of the Front which shall be binding on all members of the Front.
The quorum of the National Conference shall be a simple majority of the national constituencies.

The Regional structures shall be the Regional Congress, the Regional Conference, the Regional Committee, and the Regional Executive Committee.
The Regional Congress shall be composed of the Regional Committee, five (5) delegates from all the wards in the region, members of the auxiliary bodies in the Regional Constituencies, and five (5) delegates from each auxiliary body and each group member.
The Regional Congress shall be responsible to the Central Committee; shall elect a Regional Committee, receive from constituencies reports, motions and review such reports and determine the progress of the Front at constituency and regional levels, prepare reports for the National Congress and Conference and pass to constituency such resolutions as are appropriate for upholding the policies and principles of the Front which shall be binding on the constituencies.
The Regional Committee shall have the power to set up interim constituency and or ward structures for the governance of BNF where such structures do not exist provided that such interim structures shall be replaced by duly elected structures within a period not exceeding six calendar months.
The Regional Congress shall be held every two (2) years before December of that year but on such dates as the Central Committee shall in regulations direct.
The Regional Conference shall be held alternatively with Regional Congress and shall perform all such duties as are performed by the Regional Congress except that it shall not have power to elect a Regional Committee.
The Regional Committee shall be composed of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Treasurer, Chairpersons of each constituency in the Region, and six (6) additional members elected at the Regional Congress.
There shall be a Regional Executive Committee composed of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Vice Secretary and Treasurer.
The Regional Executive Committee shall convene all the meetings of the Region and shall be responsible for the day-to-day activities of the Region.
The Regional Executive Committee shall have the power, if in its opinion it is necessary for the protection of the interest of the BNF to do so, to take interim measures, pending the convening of the Regional Committee and or any relevant structures. Such measures shall include but not limited to the suspension of any member or members, the ordering of any lower structure of the BNF to desist from discharging its functions and or conducting itself in any specified manner.
Where the Regional Executive Committee has exercised the power conferred by Article 15.10, it shall report same to the Central Committee within seven calendar days and the Central Committee shall deal with the report from the Regional Executive Committee as it deems fit including but not limited to confirming, setting aside and or varying the decision of the Regional Executive Committee.

The Constituency structures for each Parliamentary Constituency shall be the Constituency Congress, the Constituency Conference, the Constituency Committee, and the Constituency Executive Committee.
The Constituency Congress shall be convened every two (2) years by the Constituency Committee. The Constituency Congress shall elect the Constituency Committee from among the delegates, receive reports and motions from Wards, review such reports and prepare reports for the National Congress and / or Conference, the Regional Congress and or Conference and adopt such resolutions as are appropriate for upholding policy, and principles of the BNF, which resolutions shall be binding on the Constituency.
The Constituency Congress shall comprise of the Constituency Committee, five (5) delegates from each Ward in the Constituency, members of Women and Youth Leagues in the constituency, two (2) delegates from each group member, Councillors and the Members of Parliament where applicable.
The Constituency Conference shall be responsible to the Regional Committee, shall elect the Constituency Committee from among the delegates, receive reports and motions from Wards, review such reports and prepare reports for the National Congress and or Conference, Regional Congress and / or Conference and adopt such resolutions as are appropriate for upholding policy, and principles of the BNF, which resolutions shall be binding on the Constituency.

The Constituency Committee shall be composed of:

i. Chairperson

ii. Vice Chairperson

iii. Secretary

iv. Vice Secretary

v. Treasurer

vi. Organising Secretary

vii. BNF Youth League Constituency Chairperson

viii. BNF Women’s League Constituency Chairperson

ix. Secretary for Labour Affairs

x. Secretary for Political Education

xi. Two representatives from Ward Committees

The Constituency Committee shall meet at least once every month.

The Constituency Committee shall approve, keep and maintain membership records for the Constituency.
The Constituency Committee shall have the power to set up interim ward structures for the governance of BNF where such structures do not exist, provided that such structures’ existence should not exceed a period of six calendar months.
There shall be a Constituency Executive Committee composed of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Treasurer.
The Constituency Executive Committee shall conduct the day-to-day business of the Constituency, and oversee implementations of the resolutions of the Constituency Committee.
The Constituency Executive Committee shall be responsible for calling meetings of the Constituency Committee and Constituency Conference.
The Constituency Executive Committee shall have the power, if in its opinion it is necessary for the protection of the interest of the BNF to do so, to take interim measures pending the convening of the Constituency Committee and or any relevant structures. Such measures shall include but not limited to the suspension of any member or members, the ordering of any lower structure of the BNF to desist from discharging its functions and or conducting itself in any specified manner.
Where the Constituency Executive Committee has exercised the power conferred by Article 16.12, it shall report same to the Constituency Committee within seven calendar days and the Constituency Committee shall deal with the report from the Constituency Executive Committee as it deems fit including but not limited to confirming, setting aside 25 and or varying the decision of the Constituency Executive Committee. The Constituency Committee shall report its decision to Central Committee through the Regional Committee, within seven (7) days of receipt of the report from the Constituency Executive Committee. The Central Shall deal with the report in the manner in which it deems fit including but not limited to confirming, varying and/ or setting aside the decision of the Constituency and / or Regional Committee as the case may be.
There shall be an annual Constituency Conference which shall comprise of the Constituency Committee, five (5) delegates from each Ward in the Constituency, members Women and Youth Leagues in the constituency, two (2) delegates from each group member, Councillors, and the Member of Parliament where applicable.
The Constituency Conference shall be responsible to the Regional Committee, shall receive reports and motions from Wards, review such reports and prepare reports for the National Congress or Conference, and adopt such resolutions as are appropriate for upholding policy, and principles of the BNF, which resolutions shall be binding on the Constituency.

The wards shall be formed in any villages or residential areas or locality. Wards may be conveniently divided into cells.
Every ward shall be composed of registered members within the ward.
Each ward shall have a Ward Committee composed of the Executive Committee, Chairpersons and Secretaries of Cells, the Member of Parliament and the Councillor who shall be ex-officio members.
There shall be a Ward General Meeting which shall meet at least once a year and shall be composed of the Constituency Member of Parliament and Ward Councillor where applicable, Ward Committee, and paid-up members of the Ward.

Every cell shall be composed of registered members in a particular locality within the ward.
There shall be a Cell Committee composed of the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and three committee members.
Meetings of a cell shall be held at least four times a month.
The Member of Parliament for the Constituency and Councillor of the Ward shall, where applicable, be ex-officio members of the Cell Committee.

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