29 May 2016

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members in Bobonong constituency have been urged to display exemplary leadership and positive behaviour at all times.

Speaking during a constituency fundraising luncheon in Bobonong on May 28, the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, said behaving well and leading by  example would instill confidence on electorates and become a force to reckon with to defeat opposition parties.

Mr Masisi said democrats must show love and respect to fellow countrymen and such would make electorates and investors trust the organisation.

The VP, who is also BDP chairperson, said the party was committed to eradicating abject poverty that had bedevilled the country in the past years by implementing poverty eradication and other social upliftment programmes.

Through such programmes, he said, when foreigners look at their status in their countries and compare themselves to Batswana they must regard and see Batswana as progressive, he stated. 

Government programmes and schemes such as YDF, quality education and poverty eradication programmes were living examples of success which give BDP an edge over opposition, sad the VP.

Another distinguishing and superior character the BDP government had was that the party respected the rule of law, peace and tranquility, democracy, respect for human life and had faith in the security organs, he said.

Mr Masisi said opposition parties promoted sensationalism, anarchy and riots, which were capable of disturbing peace and tranquility as well as having the potential to scare away investors.

The VP said false accusations were being directed at BDP government but sooner rather than later such would be directed at investors.

He said Botswana being a country known for respecting rule of law took the notion that one was presumed innocent until proven guilty by the courts of law.

At the luncheon, the party also welcomed members from Botswana Congress Party whom he advised to acquaint themselves with the party constitution and contribute towards the party success in 2019 and beyond.  

Furthermore, the VP described MP for Bobonong and party deputy secretary, Mr Shaw Kgathi, as a man who advocated for the development of the constituency and had interests of constituents at heart. 

The fundraising luncheon raised P500 000 towards construction of the party office which Mr Masisi described as a positive move.

He said this was a clear sign that BDP did not steal from government coffers as alleged by detractors from the opposition saying the money comes from those who have trust in the leadership of the party.

To foreign investors who do not vote, he said by contributing funds towards party activities demonstrates confidence in the policies and leadership of the ruling party. 

However, Mr Masisi urged members in the constituency to introspect saying in the past the area was the BDP stronghold but stated that the constituency was marginal because some party members act and connive with opposition.

He urged them to forget and forgive each other for the betterment of the party.

For his part, the MP, Mr Kgathi explained that, it is his wish to see the party reach 2019 national general elections as a united front and stated that BDP was the only party that has been tried and tested to lead.

Mr Kgathi said through BDP stewardship, developments continue to trickle in the constituency.

Meanwhile, Bobirwa Sub District Council chairperson, Mr Nathaniel Moribame advised party members to stick to the party succession plan and described the area as the best performer on completion of projects on time. Ends