Former South African President and revered African statesman Thabo Mbeki is set to attend the upcoming Botswana National Front (BNF) elective Congress this weekend as the guest of honour.
The congress, a key event on Botswana’s political calendar, will take place at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in Palapye. Mbeki’s presence is expected to add gravitas to the gathering, which will draw party delegates from across the country.
Although not attending as a party ally, Mbeki’s invitation reflects his standing as a respected Pan-African leader, known for his pivotal role in South Africa’s liberation, post-apartheid governance, and his broader contributions to African unity, peacebuilding, and democratic discourse.
Organisers say the BNF sees Mbeki’s presence as symbolic of the party’s aspiration to align with a broader vision for democratic reform and regional solidarity in Southern Africa.
“President Mbeki represents the calibre of leadership we admire principled, Pan-African, and committed to people-centered development,” a senior BNF official said.
The congress will see key leadership contests within the BNF, which is part of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Botswana’s main opposition coalition. Mbeki is expected to deliver a keynote address focused on democracy, governance, and the future of opposition politics in Africa.
