19 Oct 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama says the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is not panicking, but merely selling its programmes and policies to the masses.

Addressing star rallies in Tlokweng and Gaborone's Old Naledi on October 17, President Khama said as the party’s chief campaigner, he had been mandated to travel around the country to sell the party to the voters, and that it was not true that they were panicking ahead of Friday’s general elections.

“Do I look like I’m panicking? I am not panicking,” said President Khama to the amusement of the constituents. President Khama said the rallies had given him an opportunity to address his followers, members of the opposition and those without party affiliations.

He said interacting with people was of paramount importance to the BDP as it has helped it to come up with programmes such as ISPAAD, Youth Development Fund and others in the past.

In Tlokweng constituency,  he made an appeal to democrats to bury their differences and work towards victory. He noted that the party’s primary elections had sown discord in the constituency, but said those who love the party would look beyond the primary elections outcome.

In addition, he said the suspension of those who were suspected to have contravened the party rules during the party primary elections has been lifted. The BDP President said he came to Tlokweng to bring reconciliation to the constituency.

Among those whose suspension were lifted include Mr Elijah Katse, Ms Amantle Matlapeng and Ms Tidimalalo Motlhose-Modise.

President Khama acknowledged that the party’s primary elections were problematic, adding that those who lose should take solace that primary elections revolve.

He said although the party has managed to do away with factions, the primary elections were still a thorny issue in some areas.

Meanwhile in Old Naledi, President Khama said for the past five years they entrusted their vote with the BDP, there has been upliftment of lives. 

That, he said, has been possible through government’s flagship poverty eradication programme and alternative packages as well as Ipelegeng, which he said has been able to absorb the jobless and sustain many households.

He said voting for the parliamentary candidate, Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi and seven council candidates would bring more developments in the constituency, and that residents would continue to benefit from more and improved packages. The BDP leader further said voting for the BDP would allow it to continue being a beacon of peace and tranquillity, while under the opposition parties that was not guaranteed.

“Do not take our democracy and peace for granted, if you want to guarantee and to secure that we have peace forever, vote BDP,” he said.

Mr Molatlhegi said people in his constituency were thankful of what the government has done in their area. For his part, the party’s parliamentary candidate, Mr Olebile Gaborone expressed delight towards the party leader’s initiative of reconciling the constituency.

He commended the leadership and those who have returned to the party for their efforts. ENDS