23 Jun 2014

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members have been warned to desist from backbiting and internal wrangling.

Speaking during the launch of BDP Serowe South parliamentary candidate, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, former Minister of Local Government, Lands and Housing, Mr Boometswe Mokgothu called on BDP members to respect the outcome of Bulela Ditswe and rally behind the party.

Mr Mokgothu, who has served as an ambassador of Botswana to Switzerland, told the gathered BDP members that he was at pains seeing some party members dragging the name of the party into disrepute.

“These infightings break the party that we served for a long time and that is a pain to some of us,” said Mr Mokgothu who urged BDP members to shun the perception that ministers should be voted out because the President could still give them a second chance through the specially elected arrangement.

The former cabinet minister preached unity amongst party followers and cautioned against peddling rumours that ridicule other members with an intention to break the party. He said that fighting for positions was suicidal for the party’s continued existence.

As a result, Mr Mokgothu appealed to members of his party to stand strong and annihilate the opposition that he termed parasites.  He criticised opposition parties and argued that their manifestoes were a carbon-copy of the BDP’s and should, as a result, be ignored.

Mr Mokgothu said opposition parties took advantage of some malfunctions of the public service as a tool for their campaigns. Presenting Dr Venson-Moitoi and her eight council candidates, Mr Mokgothu called on the candidates to preach the party gospel so that voters could understand what the party stood for.

He also warned candidates against betraying voters upon winning elections by failing to fulfill their promises.

Turning to Dr Venson-Moitoi, Mr Mokgothu described her as a woman of substance who could not allow herself to be a walkover. She was also described as a visionary who was abreast with the vision of the country.

Described as a qualified teacher who stood against male domination back then, Dr Venson-Moitoi was described as a woman who can take any man head-on. In her acceptance speech Dr Venson-Moitoi, who is tipped to win the constituency without much difficulties, sent her gratitude to the people of Serowe South.

She promised voters that they were always part of her agenda every time she went to the office. Dr Venson-Moitoi presented herself as a selfless servant of the people who was privileged to serve them though she may not necessarily be the most intelligent amongst them.

“BDP allows us to live without any discrimination and it offers opportunities to everyone and hence we serve the party without any regrets,” said Dr Venson-Moitoi. Ends