26 Aug 2019

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) president, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says his party should be given the opportunity to continue running government due to its prudent management of the country’s natural resources.

Dr Masisi said the prudent management and distribution of such resources among Batswana was responsible for the plaudits that the country continued to receive from the international community.

He said this at the official launch of Tonota prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Thapelo Olopeng and a team of council candidates on August 25.

He heaped praise on the country’s natural resources governance model, which he said was the brainchild of the BDP government.

That, he explained, had ensured that resources were equitably distributed to all corners of the country, including areas that did not have any in their locality.

Dr Masisi said the BDP was the only party that was first to admit when they had challenges in delivering developments to Batswana.

“We promise to tell you the truth about what will do for you in the next five years. Therefore, I urge you to vote for Mr Olopeng and the  team of council candidates for continuity,” he added.

He also informed BDP members that government knew about their request for a hospital, noting that plans were underway and once funding has been secured the project will be delivered.

On other issues, he explained that Mr Olopeng had proven to be capable in all the portfolios he had served in.

He noted that as Vice President, he worked alongside Mr Olopeng, who was then in the youth ministry and served with distinction.

The party president also urged constituents to continue having faith in the ruling party.

The BDP manifesto, President Masisi observed, was geared towards change and was informed by the current context that sought to move the country away from its dependency on minerals.

Dr Masisi said the ruling party was committed to creating non-traditional jobs to move the country towards a knowledge-based society.
Consequently, he also told them that BDP representatives were servants of the people and should consult constituents all the time. He also argued that councillors only supported the MP if the particular MP was given added responsibilities of being a minister.

“We know of opportunistic politicians who go around constituencies when ministers are on national duty telling people that such ministers have deserted the constituency. This is where councillors should work hard to defend the party and stop this mischief,” he highlighted.

On other issues, he urged democrats to work hard to retain the constituency, which had been in BDP hands since 1965.

Further, he pleaded with prospective candidates to humble themselves and be respectful when campaigning.

The BDP founders, he said, had a vision to transform the economy of the country.
 

“We did not earn the tag, Africa’s oldest multi-party democracy by fluke, this was a result of the BDP’s forward-looking policies and solid democratic credentials,” Dr Masisi explained.
On the economy, the President mentioned that the BDP government used foreign reserves responsibly.
Voting for the BDP, he added, would ensure that they continued to enjoy the newly introduced policies, which included operating businesses from their homes, as long as it was environmentally compatible to do so and to use their ploughing fields for multiple economic activities.

The President also promised that if the BDP is re-elected in October, they would create two new ministries of telecommunications as well as small business enterprises.

Dr Masisi said government was committed to youth empowerment, noting that currently 500 youths were undergoing training to equip them with soft skills needed to cope with changes in the market.

In addition, the BDP leader promised democrats that the party was committed to developing an economy driven by entrepreneurs and said that he still had a desire to be the country’s president in order to drive such a dream.

Dr Masisi also mentioned that the BDP was a party of law and order, noting that respecting the country’s constitution was one of his commitments.

For his part, Mr Olopeng promised to work even harder to deliver projects that residents had identified as crucial. ENDS