18 Aug 2019

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) vice president, Mr Dumelang Saleshando says the party will join hands with whoever is on a mission to oust the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government.

Mr Saleshando said the BDP was the only stumbling block on the way of the UDC to govern the country.

Addressing a political rally at Ramokgonami on August 17 to launch the UDC prospective parliamentary candidate, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang and a team of council candidates for Sefhare/Ramokgonami constituency, Mr Saleshando said he had no doubt that the UDC was ready to take power.

Mr Saleshando described Dr Gobotswang as a passionate individual who had persevered and was eager to serve the constituency despite losing in his previous attempts.

“He does not give up and is determined to make change. 

He is ready to represent you and even assume additional responsibilities as a cabinet minister,” stated Mr Saleshando.

He indicated that UDC was determined to drive the economy, grow and sustain it, as well as improve the general welfare of the nation.

With a living wage of P3 000, old age pension at P1 500 and creation of 100 000 jobs, Mr Saleshando said the UDC was showing a determination to improve lives.

“I fully understand the operations of an economy and therefore increasing wages will benefit the economy,” said Mr Saleshando, adding that increasing people’s purchasing power would sustain and grow the economy.

He said potential investors would opt to invest in a country where the people had the power to save a certain percentage of their earnings.

“The more they earn the more they will be able to save,” he said.

He noted that the BDP government was too much dependent on funding from other nations with established economies.

Mr Saleshando said it was impossible to be receiving such billions without being expected to give something back in return.

“Nothing is for free, our country is not bankrupt and therefore we must be careful not to give it away to people claiming to be philanthropic while they have a hidden agenda,” he said.

Mr Saleshando said the UDC was competent and ready to lead the nation and fully serve the interests of its people.

For his part, Dr Gobotswang indicated that on top of executing the UDC mandate, his team was determined to fully serve the constituency.

“My team is determined to address shortage of water in the Tswapong area,” said Dr Gobotswang. 

He observed that some villages were faced with acute shortage of potable water, even though the area was not dry and had enough ground water sources and ever flowing streams.

Dr Gobotswang said villages in the northern part of Sefhare/Ramokgonami constituency must be connected to the North-South carrier pipeline to address the shortage of potable water.

He said there was a need to drill more boreholes to address water shortage.

Dr Gobotswang said the UDC was also determined to address pressing land issues in the constituency.

“The UDC government will buy some of the Tuli Block farms to increase land for communal farmers,” stated Dr Gobotswang.

He said there was a need for people in the Sefhare/Ramokgonami constituency to have access to the Limpopo River and develop horticulture fields.

He said the road infrastructure was also a challenge in the constituency.

Another issue of primary concern, he said was shortage of personnel and the challenge in accessing government services, an issue he said could be addressed by establishing a fully-fledged district in the area.

“Turning Tswapong into a full district was proposed since 1993,” he said.

Dr Gobotswang also said the constitution needed to be reviewed to amend certain areas that would better serve the interests of the people. 

“I am the only candidate who is well positioned to fully represent this constituency. 

I have the desire and I am determined to serve you,” he said. Ends