14 Jul 2014

Democrats who lost in the primary elections have been urged to rally behind the winners to ensure they win in the coming general elections.

Speaking during a rally to launch Maun East parliamentary candidate, Mr Kosta Markus and his eleven council candidates, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi said they should put their differences aside and focus on working for the party.

Mr Balopi called for unity amongst democrats and to protect the strong democracy, stability and peace that continued to reign in the party.

He said they should appreciate that voters had elected Mr Markus to represent them at Parliament because they believed he was a true representative who could represent their needs and aspirations diligently.

Mr Balopi informed fellow democrats that by voting for Mr Markus, the residents of Maun East constituency would be giving the BDP authority to continue with its good programmes and policies.

He said BDP was the only party with good programmes and policies adding that during difficult times of recession, government put aside P160 million to assist in uplifting the lives of Batswana through poverty eradication programme.

Mr Balopi said poverty eradication initiatives had restored dignity of many Batswana indicating that 2 503 people benefited from backyard gardens.

He said the initiative had created 2 854 projects of which some created employment for other people. In Maun East, he said, 54 projects of backyard gardens were successful adding that there was a challenge of shortage of water but today residents had access to portable water.

He also noted that Ipelegeng and other local government and rural programmes had done wonders to many Batswana as they made ends meet. He said 2 938 people benefited from the initiatives adding that everybody could see that BDP was willing to improve the lives of Batswana.

BDP’s national campaign manager, Mr Alec Seametso urged residents to shy away from opposition parties alleging that they misled Batswana with their empty promises.

Mr Seametso said BDP was the only party that Batswana could trust looking at the developments it had done over the years. “You should vote for people who put people’s interests at heart not those who are looking for jobs,” he added.

Other speakers said BDP would continue to lead this country and urged Batswana to continue supporting President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama as he took the lead in demonstrating love, care and compassion to the nation.

Cllr Lathang Molonda urged Ngamiland community to appreciate efforts made by government during difficult times following devastating economic suffering brought upon the district by a prolonged absence of beef market due to livestock disease outbreaks.

He said government tried all the best to contain the disease and look for alternative markets for the community. He also indicated during drought period government came up with relief intervention to assist the communities.

For his part, Mr Markus requested electorates to vote him in large numbers during the coming elections so that he could drive developments and complete the agenda where the sitting area MP had left regarding electorates concerns.

He said by voting him in primary elections indicated that they trusted him and believed that he was capable to represent their needs well. ENDS