10 Dec 2015

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secretary general, Mr Botsalo Ntuane, says they have been engaged in various programmes aimed at mobilising the party.

Speaking at the party’s monthly press conference, Mr Ntuane said President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama had been visiting various regions. He said it had been a hectic exercise given that President Khama had to content with his duties as the state President and also to give time to the party.

“We are proud to say that since July, President Khama has managed to visit nine of the 12 regions across the country holding party meetings. We have three more to go and hope to complete the engagements early next year,” he said. Furthermore, he said they were going to have a hectic programme next year, which they would unveil in February.

He said their 2015 highlight was their special congress, which he said evoked a lot of excitement within the country, party and within the ranks of opposition where they unveiled the biggest surprise of the year by announcing the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

The ESP, he said, was received positively by the vast majority of Batswana, adding that they expect to see more people utilising and benefiting from the programme next year. In other issues, Mr Ntuane said they were looking forward to 2016 after ending 2015 on a high note as they have been attracting new members from opposition parties and were expecting more.

“There is no probation period after joining the BDP; the moment you join the party you are a fully fledged equal party member, you enjoy all rights and privileges in the party,” he said. Ends