26 May 2019

Real Alternative Party (RAP) on May 25 became the fourth political party to launch its election manifesto anchored on socialism, economic justice and equality for all.

The manifesto which was launched in Gaborone identifies 27 key development areas ranging from gender to land and informal economy, which the party purports were in need of justice.

RAP Deputy secretary general Mr Nkwalili Nkosana highlighted that the current minimum wage was not enough to sustain workers  

“This is direct consequence of capitalism but as RAP, we want workers to earn enough wages to meet the demands of today’s living standards,” he said.

The party, whose political ideology is pro-socialist, thus advocates for a basic income of P6 500 per month. In addition, the party also seeks to introduce a monthly unemployment insurance benefit of P3 250.

Regarding land , RAP proposes land reforms where land is to be given back to the community as the land authority instead of being administered by land boards.

“By the community we are not referring to dikgosi, we are referring to forum where all member of the community will be represented including the youth, women, people living with disabilities and land experts among others,” chairperson of RAP, Mr Gaontebale Mokgosi stated.

The RAP manifesto also states that land will be leased by the community to individuals and families. However equity in ownership of homes or other improvements will be retained by the individual or family. Moreover RAP proposes that every citizen who reaches the age of 18 years shall be allocated a residential plot.

The manifesto furthermore calls for gender equality and elimination of discrimination against people living with disabilities and the trans-gender community. 

“We are aware that trans-genders do not choose to be born that way, therefore we want them to be given the option to choose who they want to identify as and to ensure government facilitates medical procedures should the need arise,” Mr Mokgosi said.

The party manifesto therefore advocates for a robust legal framework that will guarantee that social, legal, medical and surgical affirmations are availed to trans-genders. 

This translates into enabling trans-gender people the right to change their name and gender on legal documents as well as the right for trans-genders to surgically feminise or masculinise themselves.

Overall the manifesto advocates for economic freedom, non-discrimination against marginalised members of the community, equality and dignity for all. Ends