08 Jul 2013

President Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama has urged fellow democrats to continue maintaining peace and stability within their party as they approach the 2014 general election.

“I am pleased to observe that our party is at peace within itself,” he stressedf.

The President pointed out that peace and stability has been restored  and expressed hope that it would continue for now and for generations to come in a new BDP devoid of internal strife and factionalism witnessed in the years gone by.

Addressing the 35th BDP National Congress in Maun on July 10, President Khama expressed satisfaction that his fellow democrats have finally accepted that those “petty and frivolous personal differences” which hitherto divided them were irrational, counter-productive and above all yielded no long term rewards nor return investments for them all.

“We witnessed the spectacular failure of factions on a grand scale, and the effect this has had then, in dimishing commitment and affection of some within our ranks to their parent, the Botswana Democratic Party,” he noted.

He pointed out that there were hard lessons learnt from the strong body of evidence showing how well the BDP prospects in the 2009 general elections could have been, “but were simply sabotaged by infighting, which at the time had reached unhealthy levels.”

President Khama also observed that his party has always been endowed with a wealth of talent, good and capable people who, when working together instead in separate ways fighting each other, are a formidable force.
In addition, he noted that political parties, like in most sports, do not win elections or championships as individuals but their greatness lies in what they are able to achieve together as a team.

Democrats were urged to seek a new mandate since the season for elections has opened and that they are one year from the 2014 general election.

“I would imagine that democrats have set out themselves a minimum target of what threshold of victory we want to achieve at the polls”, he said.

The President also stressed this time around in 2014 “our aim must be to ensure that the opposition parties must receive a proper pounding in every corner of this country.”

He noted that elections are never won with people sitting on their laurels, but required many months of preparation and careful planning; well articulated national policies and credible development agenda; discipline and strong work ethic; resources and administrative capability; and a well organised team.

President Khama called on fellow democrats to set out clear priorities within the policy framework of NDP10 taking into account the current fiscal and budgetary constraints.

He also stressed that they must continue to deliver on the pledges they made in their 2009-2014 election manifesto and the road map to a better Botswana contained in NDP10 both of which are supported by a number of flagship programmes for sustainable economic diversification, poverty eradication and citizen empowerment including youth empowerment.

The commitments they have made to invest wisely in certain capital projects and infrastructure, education, training and development, electricity, water, mining, technology and innovation must continue, the President added.

He said the fruits of their labour were rewarded by gains they made in the number of MPs and councillors as well as ordinary members who have either returned to the BDP from the opposition or who have joined the party as new members.Democrats were also encoraged to give maximum support and assistance to the new Central Committee and to all candidates after the primary elections.

“This means supporting each other through, advising rather than criticise, working for solutions rather than complaining and encouraging them when they fail, celebrating with them when they succeed”, he added. BOPA