29 Sep 2014

Government programmes are formulated to empower all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation, says President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Speaking at a political rally at Kang in Kgalagadi North on September 26, President Khama, who is also the President of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), said the BDP led government has since independence committed to empower Batswana through various programmes regardless of the political party they were aligned to.

That, he said, was a clear indication of a caring government that always puts its citizens’ interests first and was keen to uplift their livelihood. 

He criticised opposition party leaders who dismissed government programmes. “It is of great concern that opposition party leaders question the viability of government programmes while on the other hand they are using them to empower themselves,” he said.

President Khama said the government was concerned about some sections of the population who were economically vulnerable as well as disadvantaged groups such as women, orphans, the elderly and destitute.

He said efforts were being made to integrate such groups into society through policies and programmes that empowered them rather than subject them to perpetual dependency.

He noted that the introduction of safety nets by the government in the last five years continued to bear fruitful results as many Batswana now afforded to put food on the table. President Khama urged Kgalagadi North electorates to vote for the BDP in the coming general elections. He added that the BDP has proven that it could take Batswana out of poverty.

With only a few weeks before the October 24 general elections, President Khama advised potential voters to keep their voter registration cards safely and ensure that their national identity cards were in use in order for them to be eligible to vote. ENDS