22 Oct 2014

The Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has urged Botswana Democratic (BDP) members in the Jwaneng-Mabutsane constituency to vote in large numbers to ensure that the party retains power.

Speaking at a star rally in Jwaneng on October 21, Dr Kedikilwe said their support for the BDP should not end at the rallies but they should proceed to vote for the party on Friday. He said they should defer any other engagements so that they exercise their rights to vote.

He noted that, contrary to claims by opposition parties, the BDP had Batswana’s interests at heart as evidenced by the developments since the country gained independence. “You should trust us with your vote because the BDP-led government has a good reputation dating from way back”, he said.

Furthermore, Dr Kedikilwe noted that the opposition was misleading Batswana through claims that the mines should pay royalties to the communities they were operating within. He said the mines could not be expected to pay royalties because Botswana long took a stand that natural resources such as mines and wildlife should benefit Batswana equally.

He however acknowledged the contributions made by the mines through their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives. 

He also noted that consultations were ongoing on how the mine areas could be used after the mining period, something which he said the opposition parties chose to be ignorant about. He said the intention was for these areas to be used for sustainable projects that could benefit the communities after the mines close.

He urged members of the public to come forth with ideas that could be considered for these mine closure plans.

Dr Kedikilwe further explained that the BDP government was currently striving to source funds for land servicing so as to address the accommodation challenge. He urged Batswana to register their plots in order to help facilitate this exercise.

He said the land audit that opposition parties were campaigning with would not be possible without a proper plot registration. Dr Kedikilwe urged attendants not to be fooled by the change that the opposition parties were preaching about, saying this was a destructive kind of change which was based on empty promises. 

He said they should vote Mr Mephato Reatile and his council candidates to ensure that the BDP retains power as well as extend President Khama’s term in office. ENDS