04 Aug 2014

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) veteran, Mr Patrick Balopi has urged democrats to uphold the spirit of botho and desist from opposition tendencies of bad behaviour and making empty promises.

Speaking at the launch of Selebi Phikwe East prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Nonofo Molefhi  and seven councilors on August 2, Mr Balopi implored constituents to go out in numbers on election day to make sure that they retain the constituency.

He said the candidates had shown their worth in the past, adding that all the standing candidates should not take constituents for granted but rather serve their interests diligently.

“You must make sure you create jobs and drive citizen economic empowerment that the government of the day continues to provide so that people of your constituency better their lives,” he said.

The veteran politician went on to say that when the country first attained independence in 1966, it was listed as one of the poorer nations with many living below the poverty datum line but through well thought initiatives and hard working members of parliament they ensured that they catapult it to the middle income status.

He said if it was not for the wise ideas of the ruling party Selebi Phikwe could have not been there adding that they have improved roads and infrastructure, promoted multi-party democracy and wrote down the party manifesto in both Setswana and English to make it easy for all.

Mr Balopi pleaded with multitudes that thronged the launch that they should make sure BDP remains in power as it continues to come up with good initiatives which have since proven to fight unemployment.

For his part and on behalf of his councilors Mr Nonofo Molefhi promised constituents that if voted back into power they will continue to work tirelessly to serve their interests, adding that they intend to continue doing the good job the veterans of the Botswana Democratic party such as Mr Patrick Balopi and others have started.

He said in the past five years the BDP led government introduced many initiatives to help the youth such as Young farmers’ fund, youth development fund, ensuring that students who excel on their studies are taken abroad for further studies so that the country can have professionals in different fields and also introduced standard electricity connection fee for all.

Mr Molefhi said constituents should not forget that the past years have not been easy due to recession and as such they should be patient as there are positive signs that it will recover. ENDS