09 Sep 2019

The electorate have been urged to thoroughly assess the promises that opposition parties make in an endeavour to canvass votes ahead of the national election.

The call was made by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at the launch of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Kanye South prospective parliamentary candidate Dr Lemogang Kwape and 10 prospective council candidates on September 8.

He, therefore, told the voters of their responsibility to question statements made by the opposition and their feasibility looking at the country’s budget to undertake such.

He said by voting wisely, they would be securing the future of the country and that of their children.

The President said that  unlike other political parties, the BDP had experience in running the country and bringing developments for Batswana.

He said the BDP was the only party that had the best interests of the country, as signified by the review of policies to promote businesses to empower Batswana.

He said his government wanted Batswana to participate in the country’s economy instead of being spectators.

 He thus emphasised the need to vote for a party that had the intention to make policies that empowered them so that they could own the economy.

Additionally, Dr Masisi said as his government strived for a knowledge-based economy, it was people of Dr Kwape’s calibre whose academic capabilities and professional experience could be useful in this regard.

He said Kanye was rich in indigenous knowledge which could be developed through the use of technology.

He called on the democrats to support candidates as they shared the party manifesto with the electorate. He also urged candidates to patiently and humbly sell the BDP plans to all Batswana, irrespective of their political affiliation. He said the party needed servants who could clearly explain its manifesto to people so that they could vote for it in large numbers in the upcoming general election.

Also speaking at the launch BDP national campaign manager Ms Tebelelo Seretse appealed to Kanye South constituents to vote for BDP in large numbers to give back the constituency to the ruling party after many years at the hands of the opposition.

She said they should vote for all BDP council and parliamentary candidates for Dr Masisi to retain the presidency.

She cautioned voters to avoid being tempted to vote for opposition parties because such drastic decisions could not be reversed.

Ms Seretse noted that Batswana were fortunate since it was the first time in the history of the BDP to see the manifesto being implemented before elections.

She said the BDP led government was already implementing land reforms intended to empower Batswana and improve their standard of living.

BDP electoral board chairperson Mr Peter Siele noted that President Masisi was the right leader for Botswana because his belief in consultation had helped the country address national issues such as the human-wildlife conflict.

He said voting for opposition parties would be the end of democracy in Botswana. Mr Siele also noted that contrary to opposition party claims, the BDP still had the capability to transform the country further.

For his part, Dr Kwape promised to be a committed servant of his constituents by implementing the party’s desires.

He said they needed Batswana’s support on their transformational journey to improve sectors such as education. ENDs