23 Jul 2014

Vice President Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has urged Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members in the Moshupa-Manyana constituency to vote for the party candidates in order to keep it in power and enjoy active efforts geared at improving their lives.

Dr Kedikilwe was speaking in Moshupa at the launch of the BDP candidate for the Moshupa-Manyana constituency in the coming general election, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, alongside eight council candidates.

He said Mr Masisi had exhibited sound leadership skills by championing the poverty eradication drive from inception and helped enhance the dignity of many who were previously in abject poverty.

Despite losing elections to another democrat in 2004, Mr Masisi remained loyal to the party, which Dr Kedikilwe described as a rare show of strong character.

He commended BDP primary elections losers for their devotion to the party despite defeat, adding that there was no fairer way the party could have elected candidates than to subject them to a process where they had to slug it out amongst themselves.

He has likewise advised winners to embrace losers so they could together work for the overall good of the party.

On other issues, Dr Kediklwe said Batswana should appreciate that although the nation gained independence and built the economy from scratch, the country was now a beacon of peace, prosperity and democracy for other African countries to emulate, thanks to the BDP government.

Although there were still more challenges ahead, he implored BDP faithfuls to keep their party in power because there is still no alternative.

Among other citizen empowerment initiatives, he cited that CEDA had funded 213 businesses to the tune of P 391 Million, creating 2000 jobs for citizens since April 2013 to date, something which should be credited on the sound leadership of BDP.

He also noted that the visionary BDP led government spent one billion Pula a year on Anti-retroviral treatment with the view to saving lives, despite the current harsh economic climate.

Dr Kedikilwe also highlighted that government had further spent eleven billion Pula upgrading Morupule B power station with the view to attaining self-sufficiency in electricity and ultimately exporting the surplus to other countries.

He said it iwa now possible for the country to produce 600 MW.

Furthermore, he revealed that government had formed a minerals investment company with the view to prospecting for underground minerals, especially coal deposits around Qangwa, Xaixai and Tsau areas in the Ngamiland district for them to benefit the nation.

For his part, Mr Masisi expressed delight that the party was intact in the constituency; hence he was confident of a resounding victory in the coming elections.

 He reiterated that citizen empowerment programmes, schemes and initiatives would continue if they voted for his party. ENDS