22 Jul 2015

Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) leader, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe, has urged party members to uphold the party’s ideals and vision.

Addressing the BMD congress over the in Ghanzi, Mr Gaolathe said members should respect one another and value each other’s cultures.

He stated that the party was built on the ideals of human dignity, respect, peace and love for one another as well as unity for all.

Mr Gaolathe urged party members to continue with the legacy that their first leader, Mr Gomelemo Motswaledi, aspired for and built within the party.

Mr Gaolathe said Mr Motswaledi aspired for a people who cared for one another and valued each other.

Therefore, he urged them to continue with such ideals and help built the party’s growth in order to attain its vision towards 2019 and beyond.

The congress, Mr Gaolathe said, would give them an opportunity as a party to reflect on the party’s achievements as well as map way forward.

He said despite challenges they had such as misconduct from youth, delays of issuing of membership cards, funds to administer the party, and induction of old and new members; he acknowledged the achievements of his party and applauded the members especially the youth for getting through to Batswana.

He said it was with such efforts that Batswana had faith in their party, therefore encouraged party members to also have faith in their party as well as themselves. Mr Gaolathe further challenged members to always dialogue on their differences to map way forward and not dwell on past issues.

On other issues, Mr Gaolathe said BMD and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had strategic plans to guide them towards 2019. He cited such plans as attaining 40 constituencies at the most in the next coming general elections, to have a robust sustainable organisation, to groom leaders and build conduct which shows maturity to govern the country.

He also said their plan was to have a communicative organisation, which will engage party followers.

He further noted that UDC had agreed on a communicative plan, primary elections plan and branding plan. Also of note, Mr Gaolathe said, UDC had agreed on a collective policy plan and one symbol as well as a constituency that would take the party towards 2019 and beyond. Ends