🇧🇼BotswanaSouthern Africa
Botswana People's Party to redefine its role within the Umbrella for Democratic Change
via Mmegi3 min read
The Botswana People's Party BPP is preparing for a leadership forum this weekend at Tati Siding to strengthen its position within the Umbrella for Democratic Change UDC. The forum, themed "Reviving the BPP, Building Structures and Strengthening the Foundation," aims to enhance the party's influence and relevance following the appointment of four senior BPP representatives to the UDC leadership. BPP secretary-general Mmantlha Sankoloba stated that the forum will bring together the central committee, regional leadership, and key stakeholders to assess, reorganize, and set the party's strategic direction. The BPP intends to consolidate its role as a credible partner within the coalition, focusing on deploying qualified members to the UDC secretariat to ensure effective participation in decision-making and policy coherence. Key objectives include a post-election assessment of the 2024 General Election, strategic coalition positioning, preparedness for the upcoming Tati Siding by-election, approval of a congress roadmap for 2026, and the launch of activities commemorating the BPP's 65th anniversary. The BPP central committee will also finalize internal disciplinary proceedings and a five-year strategic framework for 2026–2031, which will be unveiled at the forum. This renewed focus on strategy and structure indicates the BPP's commitment to remaining a key player within the UDC.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Mmegi.
Interdisciplinary artist Diablo Santana launched his debut solo exhibition, Nebula Infestation, at Alliance Française. The three-week exhibition features a series of drawings that explore mental health, identity, and social pressure. Central to the collection is the "Nebula Snake" motif, a visual concept Santana has been developing since 2022. Santana described the Nebula Snake as a personal totem used to express "turmoil, anxieties, and internal unrest," depicting these struggles beneath the human form. The exhibition includes 12 framed artworks and four posters for sale, ranging from detailed small drawings to large compositions. Santana's artistic style combines expressive painting with meticulous line work, aiming for a balance between an expressionistic approach using brush and acrylic and the fine-line rendering of the Nebula Snake. Nebula Infestation seeks to encourage reflection and conversation on emotional experiences that are often challenging to articulate.
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Nearly 11,000 runners from various countries, including Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Australia, Spain, Turkey, and India, are set to participate in the Diacore Gaborone Marathon on Sunday. A total of 10,841 athletes have registered for the event, which features a 4-kilometer race with 821 participants, a 10-kilometer race with 8,180 participants, a 21-kilometer race with 1,494 participants, and the 42.2-kilometer marathon with 356 participants. According to marathon spokesperson Tshepiso Baipidi, registration for the 2026 event closed earlier than in previous years, indicating growing demand. Registration opened in November 2025 and concluded in January 2026. Baipidi noted that the increasing international participation solidifies the Diacore Gaborone Marathon's position as a premier marathon event in the region.
The annual FNB Botswana Golden Prix will take place this Sunday at the National Stadium, featuring top athletes from Botswana, Algeria, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Jamaica, Great Britain, Kenya, South Africa, the United States of America, and Zimbabwe. Golden Door Sports spokesperson, Calistus Kolantsho, confirmed that preparations are complete for the one-day competition, which is expected to draw a sold-out crowd. The track has received accreditation from World Athletics, ensuring that recorded times will be officially recognized. Athletes have begun arriving, with Canadian 200m Olympic champion Andre De Grasse already in Botswana. Other notable athletes, including Gabby Thomas and Ferdinand Omanyala, are expected to arrive on Saturday.