19 Apr 2015

Botswana Democratic Party members in Molepolole North have been urged to rally behind candidates representing the party in all elections, and to help reverse the loss the party suffered in the last general elections.

Addressing Molepolole North constituents on Saturday, April 18, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who is also BDP President, said the party did not lose to competent candidates, but rather because democrats sympathised with opposition candidates at the expense of the party.

He said the BDP lost Molepolole which traditionally is BDP because of issues such as trafficking of voters by the opposition and because democrats were not at peace with each other during the election period.

He urged BDP members to avoid petty issues during party primary elections, saying it also contributed to the BDP’s poor performance in the last elections. President Khama urged BDP members to look at the bigger picture which is the party.

President Khama said the BDP must engage in a team building exercise as a way to promote unity in the party. He noted that the feat was possible when structures were fully functional and playing a pivotal role in turning around the fortunes of the party.

He urged members not to rush to be voted into party positions, but to instead work hard for the party. 

He also urged democrats  to be on the look-out for people who only want positions in the party for personal benefit.

On other issues, he said democrats should not blame civil servants for the party’s misfortune at the polls as painting them with same brush was not a true picture of what transpired. He said some civil servants, like the rest of Batswana, vote for opposition parties while others voted for the BDP.

President Khama said Molepolole remains a BDP stronghold and vowed that the party would work hard to capture the constituency in the next elections.

He said Batswana were generally happy with the BDP led government in terms of developments and improvement of their lives through ISPAAD, LIMID, the back to school initiative, Ipelegeng, women empowerment and a host of youth empowerment schemes

He said although the party has done a lot for Batswana, there was still more to be done such as improved water provision and electricity following failures at Morupule.

In his welcome remarks, Kweneng regional chairperson, Mr Motlhophi Leo said the BDP lost Molepolole constituencies not because the opposition was strong, but because some democrats did not support the party’s candidates.

He said Bulela-ditswe could not be faulted for the poor showing of the party, but rather in-fightings and de-campaigning each other. ENDS