16 Nov 2017

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has leaders promised Bakgatla a safe and sound victory in the 2019 general elections.

Speaking at a rally in Mochudi on Sunday, the leader of Botswana National Front (BNF) and UDC, Mr Duma Boko said it was time Batswana cross-examined themselves to figure out what their vote meant in their lives.

He said the time had come that Batswana knew and understood the importance of partaking in voting instead of just casting their votes for a party because they love it while that brings no change to their social development and the economy.

Mr Boko, who is also MP for Gaborone Bonnington North, promised to dedicate more time to his party’s vision of a healthy and safe nation by changing the health system and investing in education for government schools to compete with international schools.

For his part, the UDC deputy leader, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said they were a party with a vision and not scared to tackle any challenges that came their way.

He said as leaders of the UDC, they were not advocating for power or control, but for improving the country’s economy by changing people’s way of life and creating employment.

Mr Saleshando said their vision was to create 100 000 jobs in 12 months, a vision they are proud to announce as leaders because they believe in what they possess.

He said a true leader could be recognised by his works and also by the dream and vision they have to build a better nation that can compete with others.

He urged his team not to be afraid to dream big and not undermine their country or its countrymen, but rather benchmark from other countries to help empower the nation to strive for success.

The MP for Mochudi West, Mr Gilbert Mangole said Kgatleng residents should not be worried about what happened in Bobonong as that was bound to happen to show that the leaders were strong enough to rise even after they fall.

He apologised on behalf of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) to the UDC that the challenges began at their party, but said it was meant to enlighten all those who had doubts about UDC.

He urged Batswana to follow the party that could change their lives and understand that challenges were meant to strengthen one for victory.

Mr Mangole said Mochudi East constituency should not be worried because they lost the MP to the ruling party, but rather stay focused on what they would do in 2019 to change their way of life.

Kgatleng deputy council chairperson, Mr Stephen Makhura said Batswana should stop pointing fingers at leaders, adding that pointing fingers would lead them to a never ending path.

He urged followers not to let the by elections divide them, but rather unite them so they find ways to assist their representatives in their constituencies to do better. BOPA