25 Feb 2013

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members in Chobe have been urged to work hard in order to retain the constituency that the party lost in the last general election.

Speaking at the party’s North West regional congress in Kasane on Saturday, regional chairperson, Mr John Wellio urged members to refrain from relaxing while their opponents were busy strategising.

“Ba kganetso ba a kgaratha, le rona re tshwanetse go kgaratha,” he said, meaning the opposition parties were full of activity and so must the BDP.

Mr Wellio lamented the fact that Ngamiland and Chobe belonged to the same region yet the two places were miles apart, saying it was often a challenge when members had to travel to meetings.

Acknowledging the existence of factions within his party, he blamed Bulela Ditswe (BDP’s primary electoral system) for fuelling the factions. He condemned the tendency by some who stood for general elections as independent candidates when they lost the primaries.

“This spoils Bulela Ditswe winners’ chances of succeeding in the subsequent general election as votes are then split,” he said.

The regional chair encouraged the regional bodies to assess their weaknesses and strengths with a view to working on weaknesses and emphasising on strengths.

One viable way to gain more support, he said, was to target undecided voters: “Politics is a game of numbers, almost doesn’t count so let’s ensure that we prepare thoroughly,” he advised.

Mr Wellio also revealed that their opponents usually used the party’s youth to attack them. “We know that young people are very impatient and their feelings are easily moved, so our opponents emphasise on issues that appeal to them, such as unemployment to turn them against us. We must however stand strong in all our structures including our youth wing,” he cautioned.

Regional chairperson for the North West women’s wing, Mrs Motlagopang Maochaza encouraged members to be proud of their political affiliation. She lamented the poor attendance of members at BDP’s 50th anniversary celebrations that were held in Maun.

“Chobe had no representation at all and it makes one wonder if we are ready enough as a region to host the upcoming national congress which is coming to Maun in July.” She also reminded women to prepare for the upcoming women’s wing elections to be held in Kang.

ENDS