The Role of Political Parties in Botswana’s Democratic an - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Role of Political Parties in Botswana’s Democratic and Economic Development: An anatomy of Youth Leagues and Wings.

Gobe Taziba

UB School of Graduate Studies Slide2

Presentation Structure

Dedication

Reflective Questions

Theoretical and Conceptual frame work

State of the Youth in Botswana

Youth leagues & wings

Youth Leagues & Wings in Botswana

C

hallenges of youth leagues in Botswana

EFF Founding background

Conclusion

RecommendationsSlide3

Dedication

Gomolemo

Motswaledi

1970-2014 (MHSRIP)A National Icon that has influenced greatly the level and rate of Youth political participation. Slide4

Reflective Questions?

What is the role of Youth Leagues (YLs)?

Are they important in Youth Development?

Are they (YLs) serving their intended roles?

What is the difference between YLs & YWs ?

Are they (YLs) serving effectively?

What can be done to advance their effectiveness and relevance? Slide5

Background The scope of this paper is to cross-examine the nature and necessary transformation of Political Party Youth wing and leagues in Botswana as viable possible avenues to advance and influence pro-youth policies, representation and social justice at large.

Esp. as we interrogate today’s Topic:

Are Diamonds there forever? – Prospects of a Sustainable Development Model for BotswanaSlide6

Theoretical and Conceptual frame Work

Harts ladder of participation

Sustainable Development (SD) Model

Survival of The fittest TheorySlide7

Harts Ladder of Participation by Roger Hart (1992) Slide8

Sustainable Development (SD) Model

P

opularized by the 1992 Rio de Janeiro United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

Social Inclusion Slide9

Survival of The fittest Theory

C

oined by Herbert Spencer; after studying Charles Darwin’s principles of Biology in 1864.

This theory justifies a hypothesis that; the fit as opposed to the unfit individuals will survive respective testsSlide10

State of the Youth in Botswana

Constitute majority of the population

H

igh Unemployment

Poverty

Inadequate Leadership D

evelopment hence low participation in Decision

M

aking Structures

H

igh prevalence of HIV/AIDS and associated diseases

W

eak

G

ender Empowerment & Equality

R

estricted access to Land and other means of Production plus Market

P

enetration

(United Nations, 2011; African Union, 2009; Government of Botswana 1996, Government of Botswana, 2010).Slide11

Economic and Democratic Challenges

Lack of alternative policy advocacy on; Employment, Land distribution policy.

Willing buyer willing seller system

First Pass The Post (Democratic System)

E-Voting

Low voter registration (Voter Apathy) Curriculum structuring and need for review

Market penetration and structuring Slide12

Economic & Democratic Vulnerability

Special Constable allowance decrease

Tertiary Students Living allowance reduction

National internship allowance cuts

Delayed and sometime never allocated youth projects funding

(Newel, 2013; VoiceReporter, 2013,

Selatlhwa

, 2013,

Mphisa

, 2011). Slide13

Youth Leagues (YLs) & Wings (YWs)

H

ave been in existence as early as political consciousness

Have transformed over years

Navigate their parties into comparative entities

S

erve as Training ground for party leadership

A

dvance primarily youth but also national matters within the mother party decision making process

E

nhance the party profile and performance especially among the youth votersSlide14
Slide15

YLs& YWs in Botswana

as early as the 1960s

Every political party constitution mentions the establishment and functions of YLs and YWs

H

owever

it is not every political parties that actually has these structures operational

Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), Marx Engels Lenin Stalin Movement (MELs)Slide16

Cont.

Mainstream political parties;

BCP, BDP

,

BNF, UDC & BMD

are the only political movements with existing youth structures as instructed by the constitutionBDP constitution refers to its youth structure as a ‘Youth Wing’, UDC recognizes them as a Department of Youth while BCP, BMD and BNF constitutions recognize their structures as ‘Youth Leagues’. Surprisingly section 8.7.2 of the BCP constitution reads “a youth wing of the party known as the Youth League”.

Hence moving forward the term youth league and youth wing will be used interchangeably. Slide17

Cont.

All the youth leagues have a similar

Except BMD- ‘National Policy Director; However the duties define those of political office roles in the convectional structure

All YLs subscribe to the African Union (AU) definition Youth which is any person below the age of 35yearsSlide18

Challenges of YLs & YWs in Botswana

P

aralyzed by server apathy to the point of being dysfunctional

National conferences are not held regularly as per the constitutional,

S

tatutory committee meetings are either not held, and when held they are illegal because those attending don’t form a quorumLately BDPYW, BMDYL and BCPYL have not held their elective congresses

D

ysfunctional constituency and ward structures.Slide19

Cont.

Lack of clearly defined autonomy and independence from mother party

frustration, resignation and in some cases resignation of youth leaders

mismatch between the constitution and mother party expectations

EG. BNFYL

Thamaga congress YL and Mother Party Battle.

Mother party factional wars

Financial vulnerability Slide20

Cont.

Ceremonious/Decoration Representation in central committees

Restricted to Non- Mainstream party activities

Confined to cheerleading activities

Failure to produce party leaders for party leadershipLack of training and qualified office holders Slide21

EFF Founding background

A

classic case-study of the structural and institutional obstacles holding back YLs

ANCYL 23

rd

National Congress resolutions (2008)Slide22

EFF Background cont.Slide23

Conclusion

There is huge discrepancy between what YLs are doing and should be doing.

This discrepancy is propelled by factors such as

unclear legal standing

,

apathy, mother party factional wars and financial vulnerability of youth leaders.

The structures are strategically poorly institutionalized limiting their role to

cheerleading and singing in choirsSlide24

Recommendations

Interparty Youth Platform Model

Moving of YL into Mainstream party activity (strengthening their financial & structural capacity)

Increased institutionalization and succession plans (Constitutional reforms)

Capacity Building

Financial Stability of Youth Leaders Slide25

Research Recommendations

Improved Research and Documentation of YL activities. Slide26

Concluding Argument of the Paper

As Botswana approaches Economic Development and Growth uncertainties, strong civil societies are fundamental to advance and protect policy interests of respective sectors. Accordingly it is fundamental for YLs and YWs in Botswana to introspect; redefine their mandate, focus and purpose as youth structures

.