19 May 2019

Leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Advocate Duma Boko has described his party’s manifesto as an answer to Batswana’s challenges, especially unemployment and low wages.

Speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto on May 18, Adv. Boko, who is also Bonnington North prospective parliamentary candidate, said the UDC manifesto was committed to three issues; creating 100 000 jobs in 12 months, P3 000 as minimum wage and P1 500 for old age pension.

Also in the UDC’s manisfesto bag, Adv. Boko said, was the P2 500 tertiary allowance as well as provision of sanitary towels to all girl students, which he said would accord girl students dignity.

He said the 100 000 jobs promised in 12 months was viable since the UDC manifesto was research-based.

He further said the UDC had identified areas where the 100 000 jobs would be created, adding that the findings indicated possibility of attaining more than 100 000 jobs.

He cited hemp industrialisation which the UDC government was advocating for, as one of the areas that would help realise 100 000 jobs.

Adv. Boko said he had already secured billions worth of investors who were willing to invest in the hemp industry once the UDC wins elections in October 2019.

He said the other area that would help the UDC government generate income was the tourism industry.

He said UDC government would ensure that tourism companies’ Destination Management Companies (DMC) would be situated in Botswana for bookings and payments to create revenue for the country not foreign countries as was currently the case.

The UDC manifesto, he said  also was committed  to re-opening BCL mine in Selebi Phikwe.

The other areas of commitment were to transform the public health system and the education system as well as expand opportunities for Batswana through policies and strategies that availed services and resources for growth.

In his remarks, UDC vice president Mr Dumelang Saleshando said the UDC had identified 10 areas termed commandments which would generate revenue for the its government.

Mr Saleshando said creating employment and the minimum wage of P3 000 on its own would help generate income from tax from those employed.

Additionally, Mr Saleshando said the UDC would have a policy in place, that would ensure that the economy was in the hands of Batswana as well as to use a share of foreign reserves to develop infrastructure such as  roads.

Mr Saleshando said the UDC would also establish toll gates for levies to benefit the country while Valued Added Tax would be increased for high priced commodities.

He described UDC manifesto as “the people’s manifesto” because it was informed by consultations with Batswana from all constituencies. ENDS