22 Jul 2014

The Member of Parliament for Ngwaketse South, Mr Peter Siele says Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) still remains the best party that Batswana could trust by giving it yet another chance to rule in the coming general election.

Speaking at the launch of Maun West BDP parliamentary candidate, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa and council candidates, Mr Siele said BDP was built on a solid foundation by visionary leaders who were eager to address Batswana’s various needs.

He said after 50 years, the party still prided itself with strong pillars of good governance, democracy, self-reliance, unity and development.

Regarding democracy, he said BDP was rated the best ruling party in Africa that holds general elections every five years, noting that it also allowed freedom of speech, religion, and association, among others.

Mr Siele also indicated that BDP had done a lot in terms of developments, such as the latest construction of senior secondary schools in Shakawe, Goodhope, Mmadinare and Nata.

The construction of national roads that connect big villages and the soon to be started construction of the Zambezi Bridge project were some of the big projects the government had or would undertake, he said.

He urged voters in the Maun West constituency to protect the image of the party by voting all their fellow candidates to ensure the party continued to lead and implement more developments.

He said Mr Mbulawa was a strong and visionary leader who had people’s interests at heart, citing some of the developments he had implemented in the village such as the construction of a bridge and donations to the needy members of society.

Opposition parties continued to criticise government’s good initiatives aimed at restoring dignity among Batswana, he said, adding that the President’s Housing Appeal initiative was bearing fruits.

For instance, in the 2012/13 financial year, the government housed 229 beneficiaries to the tune of P20.5 million, while in the 2013/14 financial year, P22 million was spent to house 210 such people.

This financial year, Mr Siele explained that the government had put aside over P42 million to construct 242 houses for the disadvantaged members of society.

“This is an indication that the party has a vision, good policies, and processes in place; as such, it is upon Batswana to ensure its success and continuity,” said the legislator.

Lobatse Mayor, Ms Caroline Lesang, said the voter’s roll indicated that women had registered in large numbers; thus, she urged them to vote wisely in the coming general elections.

She said they should ensure that BDP retained Maun West and reminded them that the current area MP was in fact voted under the BDP ticket only to defect to the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).

For his part, Mr Mbulawa, requested people to vote for him and his council candidates, noting that BDP was a serious party that wanted to see Batswana living dignified lives.

He said, with their votes, they could work as a team and take the constituency to a higher level.

“I am not looking for a job at Parliament but I decided to stand because of my love and passion for the party’s people oriented policies. With your support, I am optimistic that I can represent you very well in this constituency,”he added. ENDS