06 Jun 2019

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) prospective parliamentary and council candidates have been called to display the personality that augurs well with party ideals so that voters could confidently vote the party into power.

Addressing democrats during the party strategy and manifesto rollout workshop at Lady Khama Hall on June 5, BDP chairperson Mr Slumber Tsogwane said by adhering to the party constitution and manifesto coupled with knowledge of the National Development Plan 11, District Development 8 and national

Vision 2036 as well as the country’s constitution, candidates would be well versed to face voters who were probing and eager to engage on developmental affairs.

The Acting Party President warned candidates and chairpersons of the seven north of Botswana regions to be always fully armed with party manifesto and ready for those who challenge them.

Mr Tsogwane reminded the candidates that in canvassing for votes, members should conduct themselves in a manner that reflected a BDP brand.

He also reminded them that as party deployees their image had a bearing on the party brand.

Quoting Heraclitus of Ephesus who once said “A man’s character is his fate” the BDP chairperson said the personality of candidates will seal their fate during elections.  

He said for candidates to successfully sell the BDP brand, they first must be sellable.

Mr Tsogwane challenged the BDP north candidates to push hard and ensure that the party goes beyond its 2014 popular vote of around 47 per cent.

“This will be facilitated by the fact that going into 2014 elections, the party was carrying baggage some which were accusations of corruption which the party is now fighting tooth and nail among other things,” Mr Tsogwane said.

Mr Tsogwane further reminded BDP faithfuls that their membership was their responsibility and called them to distinguish people’s interests and those of the BDP.

“You cannot say someone is not happy and therefore I too am not happy with the party,” said the party chairman who challenged BDP members to distance themselves from fighting for and following those who fight personal battles within the party.

The BDP chairperson also called on members to desist from meddling in affairs which they were not versed with, arguing that had it not been for their level-headedness, some of them could have long dumped BDP when Botswana Movement for Democracy was formed.

“Right now some of us who remained in the BDP feel vindicated,” Mr Tsogwane said and proposed that candidates should serve voters consistent and trustworthy characters towards 2019 elections.

For his part, sectary general Mr Mpho Balopi said the BDP manifesto was a life cycle of a human being, ‘from cradle to grave.’

He said that the BDP had realised that corruption was worse than cancer and hence their spirited fight against it.

He said fighting corruption was part of the BDP agenda and they were simply amplifying the campaign to uproot corruption and its manifestations.

He said that it was imperative that the party the BDP must crack the whip against transgressors within the party to demonstrate to the voters that as the party in power, BDP was able to lead the country responsibly and without fear.

He said  the strategy and manifesto rollout workshop was to unpack the manifesto and strategies to be used towards the upcoming elections.

The aim, according to Mr Balopi, ‘is to see to it that Botswana graduates from a middle-income economy, where it had been a resident for many years, to higher income status. To remain in power, the BDP is hard at play ensuring that they leave no stone unturned’.

He said the party had already distributed party branded vehicles to all the 57 constituencies.

Mr Balopi said that to level the playing field between the resourced and struggling candidates, the BDP will distribute campaign material to all constituencies.

The material includes a billboard per constituency, 300 t-shirts per constituency as well as posters bearing the party president, MP candidate and their council candidates. ENDS