The
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is the governing conservative party in
BotswanaThe Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Citizens of Botswana are called "Batswana" , regardless of ethnicity. Formerly a British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. Its chairman is
Daniel KwelagobeDaniel 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 KhamaSir Seretse Khama, KBE was an African stateman. Born into the royal family 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 bride -- to lead his country's...
). At the last
electionElections in Botswana have been held regularly since independence, and have been consistently judged free and fair by international observers....
, the party won 51.7% of popular votes and 44 out of 57 seats.
The
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is the governing conservative party in
BotswanaThe Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Citizens of Botswana are called "Batswana" , regardless of ethnicity. Formerly a British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. Its chairman is
Daniel KwelagobeDaniel 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 KhamaSir Seretse Khama, KBE was an African stateman. Born into the royal family 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 bride -- to lead his country's...
). At the last
electionElections in Botswana have been held regularly since independence, and have been consistently judged free and fair by international observers....
, the party won 51.7% of popular votes and 44 out of 57 seats. BDP candidate Ian Khama is the current President of Botswana.
History
In 1961,
Seretse KhamaSir Seretse Khama, KBE was an African stateman. Born into the royal family 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 bride -- to lead his country's...
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 Asian Tigers. Botswana has achieved high levels of development and democracy.
Festus MogaeFestus Gontebanye Mogae is a former President of Botswana, having served 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'honneurThe Légion d'honneur or Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
by French President
Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra...
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 LeadershipThe 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, 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-Lieutenant General 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.
Notable members
- Gaositwe K.T. Chiepe
Gaositwe Keagakwa Tibe Chiepe is a former Botswana politician and diplomat with the Botswana Democratic Party.-Education and early life:...
- Ponatshego Kedikilwe
- Sir Seretse Khama
Sir Seretse Khama, KBE was an African stateman. Born into the royal family 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 bride -- to lead his country's...
- Sir 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 replaced by the then Vice-President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who became the third President of Botswana.Masire was born in Kanye...
- Festus Mogae
Festus Gontebanye Mogae is a former President of Botswana, having served 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 Khama
- 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...