30 Oct 2017

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairperson, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has implored democrats to be selfless and work towards growing the party.

Speaking at the Kalakamati Ward victory celebrations on October 29, Mr Masisi urged democrats to work hard to recruit new members and bring back those who defected to other parties.

He said once a politician, one should make party interests a priority and generously work towards building and growing it.

He said problems such as water shortage and unemployment could not be solved overnight and would still persist even with a different party in power.

He said the only difference was that BDP had some interventions such as Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) aimed at lessening the impact of the challenges.

On the Kalakamati bye-elections, Mr Masisi applauded the Bulela Ditswe candidates for reaching a compromise and working with Mr Zibani Mbalambi who represented the party.

Mr Dikitso Mandevu, who was the campaign manager for the bye-election, noted that Kalakamati Ward was among the difficult wards because it was the dominion of the opposition for more than 14 years.

Mr Madenvu explained that through unity, the BDP managed to retain the ward following the death of the then BDP councillor, Mr Israel Samu.

Ward chairperson, Ms Motsenene Tom thanked those who voted for the BDP in the bye-elections.

She implored them to continue working together to win the general elections.

The party labour sub-committee chairperson, Mr Edwin Batshu urged Batswana to continue voting for BDP because its capability was evident.

He noted that while there were still unemployment challenges,  the situation was better than prior to independence.

A former political education campaign member, Mr Botho Ntirang said BDP performance in the elections in some areas called for intensified efforts.

Mr Lotty Manyepedza said Kalakamati bye-election results restored confidence among democrats because after winning the party won bye-elections that followed.

Meanwhile, Mr Masisi donated P25 000 towards construction of hostels at Maenjani secondary school.

He promised that he would donate another P25 000 to make it P50 000.

Tati West MP, Mr Biggie Butale said the P25 000 donation would be added to the P370 000 that was set aside from constituency fund towards construction of hostels. ENDS