28 Jul 2014

Outgoing Member of Parliament for Serowe North, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse has blessed Mr Kgotla Autlwetse who will represent the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the general elections.

Speaking during the launch of the Serowe North parliamentary candidate and his eight prospective councilors, the constituency MP said, “Today I stand here to hand over the baton to you since I have run my part. I used to be a Member of Parliament of this constituency and from now henceforth this constituency is yours,” Mr Seretse said.

He highlighted that that he handed over the baton with knowledge that there were still a few months left before the general elections after which Mr Autlwetse could officially assume the responsibilities of running the constituency.

Mr Seretse said victory was certain so long as BDP members stayed united and true to the party. Though he predicted  victory over opposition, Mr Seretse urged BDP members to vote in large numbers which he said had confirmed the strength of BDP in Serowe.

“Is there anything that can defeat love in whatever we do?” Mr Seretse asked rather rhetorically before calling on the democrats to desist from hatred after the general elections.

To drive his point home, Mr Seretse borrowed from the late party founder Sir Seretse Khama who once told the BDP members that the only enemy to BDP was the members themselves.

Consequently, the outgoing Serowe North MP warned against failure to bury the hatchet by those who lost in the primary elections arguing that it was time to fight a common enemy being the opposition unlike at primary elections where they were voting for individuals.

Mr Autlwetse challenged BDP members who joined opposition parties to return home where they will be accepted. He said that by so doing, the returning democrats will be emulating the likes of the once departed Misers Samson Guma, Odirile Motlhale and Phillip Makgalemele and Botsalo Ntuane who retraced their steps back home to the BDP.

Mr Autlwetse promised constituents that they were committed to being servants who were ready to discharge their duties with due diligence and providing feedback however uncomfortable to the voters.

The prospective MP also took fight to the opposition and accused them of auditing BDP deeds alleging that they did not have manifestoes. “Opposition celebrate projects failures and use them as their campaign tools,” he said.

Other speakers such as Mr Prince Kgwaneng defended BDP led government programs such Ipelegeng and Tirelo Sechaba as worthwhile.  ENDS