16 Jul 2019

The leadership of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has one shared objective of creating decent lives for all Batswana, as defined by the party’s manifesto, UDC leader, Advocate Duma Boko, has said. 

Officiating at UDC’s three-day conference on July 14, Adv. Boko said if voted into power during the 2019 general election, UDC would ensure that the country’s wealth was redirected to the needs of the people, as opposed to the pockets of the elite. 

“We will reduce corruption and create a space for Foreign Direct Investment and hence create new jobs and improve the economy,” he added.

As a coalition, he said their outlook was to create a modern society, built on progressive principles, thriving industries and a fully representative social democratic state. 

He said they had come together, as UDC leadership, to answer the call of Batswana to create a strong government and leadership that was focused on serving the people. 

“We were created in response to the will of the people. While we were once different parties, we now share one objective- to unite for the good of the country and the growth of the country. And to create stability, glory, unification around the needs of all Batswana,” he said. 

The UDC, Adv. Boko said had adapted to the 21^st-century economy. 

To achieve this, he said the coalition had worked hard to develop a clear and concise plan ‘and we are committed to rebuilding our economy to create a better life for all because decent lives and decent jobs are our promises.’

Furthermore, the UDC leader said his party was also committed to; protecting health and safety and fair competition, empowering workers and ensuring a living wage, investing in a stronger, diverse economy and encouraging 100 000 new jobs and a more supported local Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise industry.

Additionally, he said UDC was committed to developing new and maintaining existing infrastructure, strengthening the system of primary, secondary and tertiary education which ensured young people had a sustainable future and stitching together a social safety net, particularly supporting pensioners. 

“We will ensure that our people will not be forced to seek work elsewhere. We will create the ability to be a hub of service for the entire SADC region,” he added.

However, Adv. Boko expressed concern that the biggest threat to the country’s democracy, was indifference, stressing that ‘making democracy work means holding on to our principles, having clarity about our principles, and ensuring that they serve the common good.” Ends