22 Oct 2014

The leader of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Mr Duma Boko says failure by opposition parties to form a formidable front in the past has been giving the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) a field day at the polls.

Addressing a UDC star rally in Letlhakeng on Tuesday, October 21, Mr Boko said because the electorate, including civil servants, had been thirsty for such an opposition organisation, the UDC had answered their prayers.

He said the existence of UDC as the first organisation of its kind, now presented the ruling party with stiff competition and he assured the gathering that victory was certain. Mr Boko said civil servants had assured him that they voted UDC in the advanced voting for polling officers on October 18, and he urged the general electorate to also do likewise on Friday.

He said BDP had mismanaged the country for so long, saying that out of the P45 billion used by government this financial year, only P200 million had gone towards assisting the youth, which was enough for 0.4 per cent of the 47 per cent youth registered for elections.

Mr Boko also said despite the country being ranked among the top five richest countries in the region, it had done less to take care of its citizenry. “Lesotho, which ranks far less than Botswana in the region in as far as economic performance is concerned uses nine per cent of its national budget on the care of its people, while Botswana only uses 4.4 per cent,” he said.

He said the 4.4 per cent did not even reach the intended target as research has indicated that 20 per cent of that is lost to corruption.  The UDC leader said under the UDC government, proper jobs would be created for the youth while civil servants would be assured of salary increment. 

Mr Boko also accused the BDP of failing the nation in the area of education, saying it was a shame that most schools in the country still run without basic needs such as computers, classrooms and office space.

He said this spelt a bleak future for students, and that under the UDC government, theory would be coupled with practical subjects to cater for students who struggles in more academic subjects.

The UDC candidate for Letlhakeng-Lephepe constituency, Mr Gordon Mokgwathi promised victory for his party in the constituency, saying they have done all the necessary work. 

He said even though their campaign was a challenge as a result of lack of resources, things were made more easier by the fact that people in the area are disillusioned on the misrule of BDP.

He said the Letlhakeng-Lephepe area is lagging behind in both physical and social development and that because BDP campaigns are not issue based, it was much easier to convince people to the UDC side.

Before the star rally in Letlhakeng, Mr Boko also toured other villages in the area such as Kaudwane, Motokwe, Takatokwane and Ditshegwane. ENDS