14 Apr 2019

Alliance for Progressives (AP) launched its election manifesto in Gaborone on April 13.

AP leader, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe, described the manifesto as a glimpse of hope for a new Botswana, adding that the party would address bread and butter issues that affected an ordinary Motswana.

When presenting the manifesto, Mr Gaolathe said his party offered the best prospects of a new Botswana, particularly in cultivating private sector growth since it was widely acknowledged to be an essential component in the alleviation of poverty as well as providing more economic opportunities.

He said it was, however, disturbing to note that  contribution of the private sector to the development of the domestic economy was still considered to be below its potential despite the previous investments in developing it.

He stated that Botswana needed to promote industrialisation by accelerating economic transformation from the primary sector to advanced manufacturing and services in order to achieve economic diversification
The AP, he said, was committed to building strong democratic and economic institutions that were robust, inclusive and infused with checks and balances
 

He noted that AP desired realistic transformation that would empower livelihoods of Batswana for good, adding that the manifesto presented hope for the hopeless and promised to restore some dignity in the lives of many Batswana.

Mr Gaolathe stated that one of his party’s main objectives was to offer hope for free self-expression and full participation in the political discourse, hence calling on citizenry to full exercise their constitutional right and contribute towards nation building.

He said Batswana needed to be patriotic and introspect on the journey from independence to the current state of affairs.

The AP manifesto, he said, advocated for equal rights for Batswana regardless of their political affiliation or social standing, adding that AP was ready to work with all nations, regional and international organisations, labour movements and the civil society.

The party would field 44 parliamentary candidates and over 326 council candidates in the general elections.
Mr Gaolathe was also sworn in as the party’s presidential candidate.  ENDS