14 Oct 2014

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) president, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has implored Tonota constituents not to vote for the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) candidate, Mr Pono Moatlhodi in the October 24 general elections.

Addressing a star rally in Tonota on October 12, Lt Gen. Khama said Mr Moatlhodi’s action of ditching the BDP after losing the primary elections was a clear indication that he was power hungry and could therefore not be trusted.

He said Mr Moatlhodi’s impression that he owned the constituency had also led to the Botswana National Front (BNF) abandoning its candidate, Mr Maokaneng Bontshetse at the eleventh hour to pave way for him.

The BDP Leader urged Tonota constituents to vote for Mr Thapelo Olopeng and the nine council candidates because they represented the party that had the best policies.

BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi implored the residents not to disappoint by voting opposition parties. He said the constituency had been a stronghold for the BDP citing that the constituency had produced most of the party’s secretary generals.

Mr Balopi said the BDP government would continue to improve the education system and ensure that by 2016 no Motswana will be living in abject poverty. He said his party took Batswana seriously and that was why it continued to economically empower the youth and improve on services such as health.

He called upon Tonota voters to ensure that they bury Mr Moatlhodi’s political career in the October 24 general elections. BDP national campaigns manager, Mr Alec Seametso encouraged the residents of Tonota not to vote for the opposition parties because they would disturb the peace and stability that prevailed in the country.

A representative of the Bazezuru in Mmandunyane, Mr Samuel Mutoriti encouraged the constituents to vote for Mr Olopeng because he is a leader who has no fear to fight for people’s rights.

Mr Mutoriti said for many years some Bazezuru in Maseka ward in Mmadunyane were struggling to acquire birth certificates, passports and Omang but through the assistance Mr Olopeng the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs came to address them on what is needed of them to have such.

Mr Mutoriti said some have already been assisted while others are in the process of applying for the documents.

He said although Mr Olopeng is not yet the area MP, he managed to advocate for them to get water in their ward.

Mr Mutoriti said Mr Olopeng should therefore be voted to parliament as he has already proved himself to be a capable representative.

For his part, Mr Olopeng said once voted he will ensure that he represents everybody equally including those with special needs.

He said he is aware that the youth, who form the majority of the Tonota population, are unemployed and he will in conjunction with other stakeholders attract investors to construct malls, factories and hotels along the A1 road in order to create job opportunities.

Mr Olopeng said he negotiated with Bazezuru to transfer their skills to other members of community in Tonota.

He further said he is in the process of assisting the 46 choirs in the Tonota constituency to form an association and come up with ways on how they could generate income for themselves. 

Earlier, the Tonota branch chairman, Mr Bayendisi Thabano said 15 471 people registered for the 2014 general elections in the constituency.

He said the constituency has nine wards and only two have opposition representatives and he indicated that through the unity that prevail among the democrats and the candidates, the BDP will win the constituency in the October 24 general elections. ENDS