15 Sep 2019

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) stalwart, Mr Patrick Balopi, has appealed to party members to act responsibly and work hard in order to preserve democratic principles.

Mr Balopi was speaking at the launch of Mahalapye West prospective parliamentary and council candidates on September 13.

Mr Balopi said political party campaigns must not be used to perpetuate negative behaviour and animosity among members of different political parties.

“Having the will to follow a party of your choice is a democratic right of freedom of association and it must not by any chance be used to divide the nation,” he said.

Mr Balopi, also the party’s committee of elders chairperson, appealed to the people of Mahalapye West to rally behind BDP prospective candidates, saying they would continue with a government that was focused on doing good for all.

“In its history of governance, I do not recall the BDP government neglecting the people,” he said, addingthat the party had a rich history that should be used to lure voters.

“We are being tested by opposition parties and therefore I appeal to fellow democrats to stay focused and do the right thing, which is serving the nation wholeheartedly. We are faced with a mammoth of a task, therefore we must tread cautiously and do what it takes to retain what we have,” he said.

He also urged BDP members to be cautious in their campaign and desist from using abusive and insulting language, saying such had the potential of irritating other people in the opposing.

“Do not tease your opponents. Even if you are provoked, please forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Do whatever it takes to preserve this precious gift from God. We have stumbled along the way. I will be deceiving you if I say we are perfect and therefore we must work hard to perfect our faults,” he said.

Meanwhile aspiring BDP candidate for Mahalapye West, Mr Bernard Bolele, said his team was aware that their duty was to serve the people.

Mr Bolele said his team would advocate for creation of employment opportunities and as the people’s voice, they would also assist government in coming up with solutions to challenges the society was faced with.

He said despite encountering unforeseen challenges that affected the planned development agenda, the BDP government was determined to continue serving the nation. ends