12 Aug 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has urged former members of his party to retrace their steps back to their home, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

President Masisi was speaking at the launch of Gaborone Bonnington South prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Chris Greeff and prospective council candidates on August 11.

Dr Masisi said the BDP, which he grew to love and admire, was an inclusive party that was ready to welcome back anyone despite the past relationships.

He pointed out that Botswana Movement for Democracy president, Advocate Sydney Pilane, Alliance for Progressives president Mr Ndaba Gaolathe and Francistown South Member of Parliament, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi were some who left the party unceremoniously.

He said the BDP was willing to welcome them back to its folds and mend the broken hearts.

All the three politicians were staunch members of the BDP before breaking away from the party to join opposition ranks.

President Masisi took residents of Gaborone Bonnington South down memory lane of the roots of BDP founding members and pleaded with them to continue the legacy of good governance and consultation.

He asked them to send BDP representative to Parliament because he was a trustworthy person.

Dr Masisi pointed out that he despised corruption and believed in transparency.

He promised residents of Gaborone West that part of his mandate as their leader was to continue sharpening Botswana’s foreign policy and represent their interests abroad.

He told them that opposition ideas were not yet ripe, thus they were not yet ready to lead.

Member of the BDP Central Committee, Lt Gen Tebogo Masire, earlier on introduced Dr Masisi and urged the youthful crowd to make informed decisions with their vote.

He advised them to ignore petty talk that were common among politicians during election year.

General Masire told Gaborone Bonnington South residents to ignore independent candidates as they come across as self-centred and irresponsible people.

In his welcome remarks, branch chairperson of Gaborone Bonnington South Mr Sydney Mooki said they were pulling all stops to reclaim the area, which they lost to UDC in the past general election.

He said as President Masisi was decently steering the ‘big red machine’, he should stay focused.

The area’s campaign manager, Mr Benjamin Kelepang said the campaign was going well as Dr Masisi had made it an easy task.

He appealed to voters to consider sending Mr Greef to Parliament as he was born and bred in Gaborone West and was well versed with their needs.

Councillor Bahiti Ratora of Serowe South thanked former president Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama for offering Batswana Dr Masisi as their next leader.

He asked President Masisi to follow the exploits of the biblical Moses who led the Israelites in tough times as he had hope.

BDP regional chairperson, Mr Lotty Manyapetsa said it was disdainful to see some politicians from the opposition fueling hatred against President Masisi.

He urged residents to elect credible people who would represent their interests, adding that President Masisi deserved to be given a chance to prove his mettle.

Chairperson of the political education and elections subcommittee, Mr Alec Seametso praised his party’s sound policies. He likened Dr Masisi’s administration to the New Testament in the Bible.
As for Mr Greeff, he thanked Dr Masisi for his unwavering support. Ends