04 Nov 2015

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has welcomed seven independent candidates into the party.

Speaking during a press briefing in Gaborone on Tuesday (November 3), BDP secretary general, Mr Botsalo Ntuane said the seven include two members who contested for parliamentary seats, Mr Neo Magowe in Mahalapye East and Mr Onkabetse Daniel in Shashe West as well as seven others who contested for council seats during the 2014 general elections. 

He said it was the first batch of independent candidates who were returning home. 

This follows the party’s decision during the recent special congress that resolved to welcome back independent candidates who were barred from the party, following their decision to contest as independent candidates after losing primary elections. 

Mr Ntuane also informed the media that the party leader has been visiting 12 regions of the party. He said since July, six regions have been visited and that the intention was to visit the next three before the end of the year. 

“This has been an intensive programme, we are all over the country mobilising party structures to find out the challenges they go through as well as to listen to their suggestions on what should be improved,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the deputy secretary general, Mr Shaw Kgathi said the guiding booklet for the Economic Stimulus Programme was being compiled and would soon be available.  

Mr Kgathi further commented on the Mmegi newspaper story of October 3, relating to Eritrean footballers. He said the government has given the footballers asylum and that they were at Dukwi Camp. Ends