09 Jun 2019

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members have been encouraged to set aside personal and internal differences and remain united in order for the party to win the upcoming general elections.

Speaking at the launch of Gaborone North prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Mpho Balopi, whom he described as a dedicated member with people’s interests at heart, the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi urged members to support one another, saying the BDP had laid a strong foundation of national unity and true democracy through consultation and transparency.

Attacking fellow democrats and members of the opposition parties, he said, did not help, noting that they should instead focus on building a united Botswana, which all could take pride in.

Dr Masisi reminded them that they were the servants of the nation, hence should be responsible, work and protect the nation and always have the party policy at heart.

He applauded BDP veterans for their good leadership, respect for the rule of law and upholding high democratic standards.

“Credit should be directed to the leadership of the BDP for leading this country in the right direction.

The country’s pattern of economic development is envied by other countries and this is primarily due to visionary leadership of some of the country’s yesteryear leaders,” he said.

Dr Masisi said the BDP government remained steadfast in improving the livelihoods of Batswana through growing the private sector to be competitive and productive as well as increasing the ease of doing business.

He therefore pleaded with voters to keep the BDP in power.

The BDP 2019 manifesto, he said, was anchored on plans to achieve economic transformation and outlined the pledges that the party was to implement in order to take Botswana to greater heights.

Dr Masisi said the BDP-led government was keen on providing a conducive environment for economic growth that required adequate infrastructure and provided better connectivity while enhancing productivity and efficiency.

He indicated that the BDP government understood the importance of developing road networks leading to production areas such as farms and tourist destinations.

Such, he said, would allow for easy transportation of farm products to the market.

Dr Masisi entreated Batswana to have faith in the BDP to see Botswana transforming to a knowledge based economy and infrastructure development, which would create job opportunities for Batswana.

For his part, Mr Balopi, who is also BDP secretary general, vowed to work hand in hand with the electorate in taking the constituency forward.

He said Gaborone North had the potential to unleash opportunities through community involvement in meaningful strategies.

“The foundations have been laid, but we need to accelerate them by being more focused and deliberate on how we utilise available resources in the Gaborone North constituency to improve lives,” he said. Mr Balopi said he was proud of being aligned with a reputable party that managed to turn the country’s fortunes around since independence. ENDS