The Botswana People’s Party (BPP), a longstanding pillar in the nation’s political landscape, has found itself at the center of a storm stirred by a forged resignation letter allegedly penned by party president Motlatsi Molapisi. The letter that emerged on social media stirred whispers of upheaval, claiming Molapisi was stepping down to make way for new leadership, but the party has forcefully denied these claims, denouncing the document as a malicious fabrication designed to sow discord within the organization.
Molapisi, a towering figure in Botswana’s Pan-Africanist tradition, has led the BPP through a renaissance after years of marginalization. Under his stewardship, the party was resurrected from the shadows, notably joining the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition before the 2024 elections. This strategic alliance culminated in an electoral breakthrough, with the BPP securing parliamentary seats for the first time in over four decades, marking a significant milestone in its history and Botswana’s evolving political terrain.
The purported letter, dated November 24, 2025, suggested a voluntary exit by Molapisi, citing the need for renewed leadership to restore stability and unity. Yet, BPP spokesperson Mmantlha Sankoloba swiftly dismissed these assertions as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the party. “Propaganda has short legs,” Sankoloba said, emphasizing that the Central Committee was actively investigating the forgery. The letter’s circulation is viewed not merely as falsehood but as a criminal act that threatens the integrity of the BPP’s political mission.
This incident cannot be divorced from the broader backdrop of political misinformation proliferating across Botswana, particularly on social media platforms, which have become battlegrounds for competing narratives ahead of and following the 2024 elections. Analysts have noted a troubling rise in disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining political actors, often fueling confusion and mistrust among the electorate. The BPP’s repudiation of the forged letter underscores the challenges Botswana faces in safeguarding its democratic discourse from these corrosive tactics.
Molapisi, who is now 81 years old, has in years past hinted at an eventual handover to younger leadership, yet he remains a vital force within the party. His commitment to bolstering the BPP’s influence and expanding its footprint remains resolute. Sankoloba also refuted another circulating rumor that Molapisi had requested the recall of Dr. Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, Botswana’s Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, labeling it “completely baseless.” Such claims appear to be part of a concerted effort to destabilize party unity and distract from policy priorities.
The BPP has recently embarked on a reshaping of its leadership structures aimed at improving organizational effectiveness and aligning the party’s strategy with its vision for a people-centered governance model. This internal reorganization reflects a proactive stance as the party looks to consolidate gains made in the political realignment post-2024 elections and to prepare for longer-term relevance in Botswana’s multiparty democracy.
Botswana itself stands at a crossroads following the end of nearly six decades of dominance by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The 2024 elections delivered a seismic shift, with the UDC coalition, and by extension the BPP, emerging as a formidable opposition force. This transition has garnered international acclaim for its peaceful nature, signaling Botswana’s continuing democratic maturity even as new challenges arise around governance and political competition.
Molapisi’s leadership style has been noted for bridging the preservation of the BPP’s historic Pan-African ideals with pragmatic coalition-building. His capacity to guide the party into the UDC alliance was a tactical masterstroke, enabling the BPP to capitalize on growing public appetite for political reform and accountability in Botswana. The party’s electoral performance has given voice to perspectives long overshadowed by the dominance of the BDP, injecting new vitality into parliamentary debates.
Sankoloba said with this increased visibility comes vulnerability to targeted disinformation, as adversaries seek to weaken the BPP’s cohesion and voter confidence. The forged resignation letter fits into a wider pattern of politically motivated falsehoods that have plagued Botswana’s digital public sphere. Media observers and civic organizations have called for stronger measures to combat this trend, emphasizing the need for media literacy and stringent legal consequences for those caught fabricating or disseminating lies.
Beyond the internal and external political dynamics, Dr. Nono Kgafela-Mokoka’s role in government further illustrates how the BPP-linked figures are integral to governance in Botswana today. Appointed Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Kgafela-Mokoka leads efforts at strengthening social welfare policies amidst a complex social landscape. Attempts to drag her into controversy through false claims about her cabinet position only highlight how misinformation is wielded to disrupt political stability, Sankoloba said.
For the BPP, the episode of the forged resignation letter is both a test and an opportunity. The party’s swift response communicates a message of resilience and steadfastness in the face of tactics aimed at divisiveness. Molapisi’s enduring presence at the helm provides a rallying point for supporters intent on advancing the BPP’s agenda and ensuring its place in Botswana’s political future.
As Botswana continues to navigate its post-BDP political order, the health of its democracy may well hinge on the capacity of political parties like the BPP to withstand misinformation campaigns and maintain internal coherence. The forged letter scandal serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved, not only for the BPP but for the broader democratic culture that Botswana seeks to nurture in an era of heightened political competition and digital vulnerability.
