18 Aug 2014

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)-led government has over the years ensured the country’s economic growth through its mineral wealth,  the Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has said.

Not only did the party focus on boosting the country’s economy but also committed to improving livelihoods by initiating various developmental programmes.

He said the BDP-led government still had better plans for its citizens than any other party in the country and therefore canvassed for votes from Batswana in the October 24 general elections.

Dr Kedikilwe was speaking during the launch of Good hope-Mabule prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Kitso Mokaila and nine council hopefuls in Good hope on August 16.

The Vice President also paid tribute to the past leadership of this country for their visionary governance adding that they left a legacy for current government to savor on.

He called on the Good Hope-Mabule constituents to vote for Mr Mokaila and all the nine council candidates in large numbers to assure them a seat in both Parliament and council.

“In so doing, you will be assuring that the BDP and President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama stay in power to continue on the country’s developmental mission”, he said.

He said the BDP led government still had a project plan to draw about 495 million cubic meters of water from the Zambezi River, to mitigate the water shortage across the country.

This, he said, was a plan that would augment the water supply from the three recently built dams, being the Lotsane, Dikgathong and Thune which were built at the cost of P5 billion.

He told the constituents that in bringing Mr Mokaila back to Parliament, they would be be assuring that the torch that he had been carrying would not go dim as he has been the light of this country as a minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources.

Dr Kedikilwe praised Mr Mokaila saying, he has not disappointed him as he recommended him to lead the ministry when he was elevated to be Vice President.

He said Mr Mokaila worked tirelessly when this country was experiencing power shortages due to the Morupule B power station faults, and assured that even more power will be generated from the same power station.

He said through Mr Mokaila leadership in the ministry, there is still going to be more mineral exploration as coal, copper and nickel deposits have been found across the country and plans underway to export these to other countries such as Namibia and Mozambique.

For his part, Mabutsane/ Jwaneng Parliamentary candidate, Mr Mephato Reatile said though Botswana was not left out in the economic down turn crisis, the BDP government cushioned its people from feeling the effects.

Mr Reatile said, though some international research institutions came up with suggestion such as the reduction of public service that did not happen, as government had its people at heart.

He said Botswana still comes as one of the highly rated democratic country and thereby, voting for the BDP to stay in power will be an assurance of the continued peace and tranquility that all in Botswana have been enjoying.

Having been a Member of Parliament for the past 10 years, Mr Mokaila pleaded with the Goodhope/Mabule constituents to give him five more years as their parliamentary representative, adding that he still has more developmental plans to benefit them.

He called on the constituents to take advantage and ride on the BDP vehicle whose legacy in developing its people is evident.

This, he said were going to be the toughest of all the past contested elections but called on the constituents to stay focused, not betray the party and vote for it in large numbers.

Mr Mokaila took time to praise Dr Kedikilwe for selflessly giving himself to serving the nation as he now relinquishes his service as Vice President.

He said Dr Kedikilwe was exemplary to many who should know that it is not always best to hold on to power, but best to give the baton to other citizens to carry on the legacy. Ends