10 Jun 2018

Democrats have been challenged to discuss policy issues that validate Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) as the only alternative to Batswana. Addressing democrats at the BDP special national congress Saturday, the party president, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi also encouraged members to respond soundly to the challenges of their time, which included unemployment and sustainable wealth creation for Batswana.

Again, he said the party had the necessary foresight and the ability to change things for good. Further, President Masisi encouraged them to lead and outcompete their opponents in the contest for ideas and political space as they had the ability, power and the vision to do so.

“We must encourage everyone at every level of the BDP to focus on the foresight and to articulate their opinions about how the future should be shaped,” he said.

President Masisi also implored both young and old democrats to be energised, saying they were the only security for winning the 2019 elections.

“You should be strong on policy, delivery, humility and inclusivity,” he said. As the party prepares for the second circuit of primary elections at BDP’s 39 strongholds constituencies on August 11, President Masisi implored the concerned constituencies to work closely with the strategy sub-committee for refinement of constituency specific strategies.

He said the political education and elections commission was supervising conduct of mass registration exercise at some constituencies to ensure that all aspirants were accorded equal opportunity to register.

That followed complaints that the party had already registered cases in some constituencies where branches and interested parties engaged in unfair practices that registered only members perceived to support or favour particular candidates.

President retreated that it had previously shown that controversy and contestation from unsuccessful contestants was common after Bulelwa Ditswe, hence, he pleaded with democrats to accept in principle that in an election there can only be one winner.

“Let us not allow our personal aspirations and prospects of office to derail us from the objectives and principles we have sworn allegiance to,” he said. Meanwhile, President Masisi said government was working on a transformative strategy for hosting investors, international events as well as other nations.

The transformative strategy would complement and support prior pronouncements of expediting the ease of doing business reforms and immigration law review.

President Masisi further said government was engaged in consultations on a variety of issues to find solutions to emerging economic and societal challenges. Consultations, he said also included efforts to create jobs, conducive environment for commercial enterprising as well as resolve human-wildlife conflict issues afflicting some part of the country.

Meanwhile, the party welcomed new members from opposition parties among them incumbent councillor for Phakalane Ward, Ms Tsholofelo Amos, former BCP Parliamentary candidate for Maun West, Mr George Lubinda as well as Mr Prince Moitoi. The three-day special national congress, which ended yesterday was held under the theme; Unity and Inclusivity Towards a Prosperous Botswana 2019 and Beyond.

It discussed, among other topics, the 37th National Congress resolutions, 56th National Council Resolutions, registration process, primary elections, party school and road to 2019. Ends