17 Feb 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has informed Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members that job creation was top priority for his government.

Addressing the South West Regional Congress in Moshupa yesterday, President Masisi shared that government was exploring opportunities to create employment, especially for young Batswana.

Among others, Dr Masisi also BDP President, shared that the recently signed African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (ACFTAA) would give Batswana access to the vast African market with a population of 1.2 Billion people and translate to job opportunities and a diversified economy.

President Masisi also revealed that government was in talks with stakeholders with a view to complete the final stretch of the backbone fibre optic cable.

He said 2 000 young people would be engaged in the process to finish up the last mile of connectivity.

This, he said, would connect Batswana to the rest of the world through the Internet, for the first time in history.

“Pray for me, I’m in delicate talks, this should start before end of September,” he said, adding that the move was a giant step towards a knowledge-based in economy.

 He encouraged Batswana to position themselves to benefit from the development.

“I want Botswana to become the epicentre of meetings and conferences so the venues must increase, we don’t have enough presidential suites here,” he said.

Dr Masisi further shared that government had signed a five-year renewable contract with Rutgers University in the US, which for the first time would enable the nation to trade in knowledge.

He said the two parties would develop educational programmes to be distributed across Africa and earn royalties.

He told the congress that he had stressed to the university that there were things they could also learn from Batswana.

He said the university would set up an Information Technology-based system in a few months to allow for teleconferencing.

He said the agreement revolved around areas critical to the achievement of Vision 2036 ideals.

The president also told the meeting that ISPAAD would be improved during mid-term review with the intention to maximise production.

He said fields would be clustered and connected to the national power grid, Internet and developed through government machinery with a view to enhance output.

He has thus challenged Batswana to explore avenues such as transportation, research, packaging and supply, among others, along the value chain and benefit.

On other issues, President Masisi told democrats to be disciplined and warned that he would crack the whip on anyone who strayed.

“As your party leader I demand discipline from each one of you. It’s okay to compete, but respect one another,” he warned.

President Masisi further advised the new regional committee chaired by Mr Kagiso Tselaesele to recruit new members and put party interests before theirs without fail.

For his part, BDP secretary general Mr Mpho Balopi encouraged members to fight for the party.

He said it was important for members to serve the party selflessly, lest history judges them cruelly.

Outgoing South West regional chairperson Mr Kewagamang Mopipi said the party was a united force in his area. He said he had no doubt that victory was imminent.

Moshupa/Manyana constituency chairperson Mr Lentswe Mosanako commended President Masisi for some reforms and initiatives he introduced such as operation KgomoKhumo, which he said had saved the beef industry.

He also encouraged President Masisi to continue fighting corruption without fear, adding that nobody was above the Law.

He said the reforms President Masisi had introduced spoke to ordinary Batswana and assured him of unfailing support from the region.

Meanwhile, Mr Benjamin Morokonyane was elected vice chairperson, Mr Zakhir Khan and Ms Olga Ditsie were unopposed for the positions of treasurer and secretary respectively.

Mr Thuso Lebanna beat Mr Gaofenngwe Nthai to become vice secretary while Ms Sunah Dikgola was unopposed for the position of vice treasurer. ENDS