07 Oct 2014

Contrary to opposition sentiments that Mogoditshane constituency is neglected, government is aware of problems faced by the constituency, says President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

President Khama said government could do much across the country because of recession, re-occurrence of Foot and Mouth Disease, drought, BMC and Morupule power station B failures as more resources were now directed to mitigating problems in such sectors.

He said through the foresight of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) led government, plans were afoot to draw water from Lesotho, Zambezi River and build more power stations to meet the demands of the country in terms of energy and water needs.

President Khama said despite economic recession, the BDP-led government managed to subsidise cattle feeds, drilling of boreholes to supply parts of the country affected by shortage of rain and built the second north-south water pipeline carrier particularly for the southern part.

Addressing a star rally in Mogoditshane on October 5, he said BDP was determined to win all constituencies even those controlled by the opposition, saying this was bolstered by large crowds attending BDP rallies and new numbers joining in.

The President also commended democrats for their relentless campaign across the country in terms of selling party programmes and recruitment new members even from opposition.
Lt Gen. Khama said BDP managed to make inroads into opposition areas recruiting large numbers of their followers in the process citing over 2 000 recruited from BNF in Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency and scores of others from Tswapong South, Bobonong, Shoshong and Shakawe most of whom were BCP activists.

He said though opposition parties ridicule BDP programmes such as Ipelegeng, CEDA, Youth Empowerment Programmes, members of parliament from such parties frequent his office asking for numbers especially for Ipelegeng to be increased in their constituencies because they know such programmes helped a lot of people after the country was hit by the global economic crunch.

President Khama said over 18 000 benefited from Ipelegeng and could now make ends meet whilst over 125 000 workers responded well to ISPAAD making Botswana to be the only country in SADC to have improved in terms of farm produce.

He said this would reduce imports of food leading to reduced high cost of such commodities. The President said through CEDA 49 000 people have been employed since the introduction of lending facility.

President Lt Gen. Khama said BDP and its candidates were serious about bringing development to Batswana and as such they must ignore opposition candidates in this year elections, because they could not be trusted. He implored Mogoditshane residents to intensify campaigns and vote in large numbers if they wanted their lives to improve.

For his part Mr Patrick Masimolole who is seeking re-election accused his opponents of badmouthing BDP candidates instead of concentrating on telling electorates of their alternative assistance when elected into power, saying such characters deserve no vote from Mogoditshane residents.

He said using bad language was not good example to youth and said such behaviour was degrading Setswana culture of BOTHO. Ends