03 Sep 2014

Voters in Kanye South have been urged to vote for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in large numbers to enable the party to win the October 24 general elections.

Speaking during the BDP launch in Kanye recently, party veteran and parliamentary prospective for Molepolole South, Mr Daniel Kwelagobe said politics was a game of numbers thus urged every BDP member to cast a vote for the party.

He said BDP was the only party they could trust with the future of the nation. Since its inception in 1962, he said the party always had the best interests of Batswana at heart. 

He said Batswana enjoyed free education, which is rare in other countries, thanks to the party’s visionary leadership.

Mr Kwelagobe argued that Batswana should also appreciate the fact that although the BDP founding fathers were allies with one party state presidents like Mr Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Mr Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and Mr Milton Obote of Uganda, the BDP - led government opted for a democratic model of governance which embraced all parties.

He said the BDP believed opposition parties should be there to keep the ruling party in check lest it became complacent. Mr Kwelagobe urged democrats to vote for “the young and vibrant” parliamentary prospective, Dr Lemogang Kwape in order for the party to tap into his expertise. 

He said contemporary politics needed fresh ideas from young intellectuals like Dr Kwape to propel the nation forward. Party elder and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele said the party was founded on firm ground. 

He said the opposition parties should not be trusted because they were always embroiled in leadership feuds whereas BDP never had any succession problems.

Moshupa/Manyana prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi said Batswana should appreciate that BDP was realistic whereas the opposition parties promised them ‘a pie in the sky.’

He revealed that President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama will soon lead a task force which will focus on job creation, adding his party wanted to take advantage of the on-going mineral explorations.

For his part, Dr Kwape promised to consult the electorates on pertinent issues. He explained that it was ideal for him to be elected to parliament because the term marked the end of NDP 10 and beginning of NDP 11. 

He said the term offered them an opportunity to consult and plan for the development path they wanted.Dr Kwape will face incumbent UDC prospective, Mr Abram Kesupile and BCP hopeful Mr Pako Madigele in the coming elections. ENDS