16 Jan 2017

Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has implored Boikago/Madiba residents to vote for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the coming bye-election billed for Palapye January 21.

Mr Masisi, who was addressing a rally in Palapye on Friday, encouraged residents to ensure that the BDP retained the Boikago/Madiba ward council seat and vote for Mr Thabo Dimeku in high numbers.

He said the vote should indicate that BDP would win the next general elections with a big margin.

However, he warned BDP members not to ‘make a mistake’ and vote for the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) candidate like they did in Khurumela ward in the 2014 general elections.

Mr Masisi, who is also MP for Moshupa/Manyana, said Mr Dimeku had always been at the forefront in the development of Palapye, advocating for youth empowerment as well as organising workshops aimed at women empowerment.

Further, he encouraged them to vote for Mr Dimeku in order for the party to continue bringing more developments to their ward.

Mr Masisi also urged BDP members to support one another, particularly those who lost to Mr Dimeku in the BDP primary elections.

On the other hand, he noted that the BDP had Batswana interests at heart and had recently introduced the constituency fund to the tune of P10 million per constituency.

He said the BDP had also introduced programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and improving livelihoods of Batswana.

The council candidate, Mr Dimeku said he was ready to be the voice of the people in the Boikago/Madiba ward, adding he would continue where the late Mr Kenosi left off.

He implored Boikago/Madiba residents to vote for him because he was already hands on in the development of their ward.

Again, he told them that the BDP was the only party that can change the lives of Batswana for the better, and thus should not vote for the opposition.

Mogome/Mokgware ward councillor and also Palapye Administration Authority chairperson, Mr Lesedi Phuthego also encouraged residents to vote for Mr Dimeku.

Mr Phuthego argued that Mr Dimeku was the right candidate because he was a hardworking, patient and patriotic individual who had interests of people at heart.

Further, he said retaining the Boikago/Madiba ward would help BDP councillors to speak with one voice in advocating for the development of Palapye.

Meanwhile, the bye-election comes after the area councillor, Mr Ritchie Kenosi died late last year. Mr Dimeku will be contesting for the council seat against  the BCP council candidate, Mr Area Gabathuse. BOPA