16 Sep 2019

Admission of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) into an association of Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa will yield positive results, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

Speaking at the launch of prospective parliamentary and council candidates for Mmopane/Lentsweletau constituency on Sunday, Dr Masisi said the relationship between BDP and other former liberation movements in SADC such as ANC, ZANU-PF, FRELIMO and SWAPO would open up markets for Botswana goods.

He said once voted into power in October, one of his key priorities would be to transform the economy, hence the relations with former liberation movements.

The President explained that the BDP qualified to join the coalition of liberation movements because it fully participated in the liberation of Southern African nations.

He expressed confidence on the candidates representing the party in the constituency saying they were selected after following due process as per the party constitution.  President Masisi expressed confidence that his party would win the general election with a huge margin given its credibility. 

Responding to the Women’s Wing plea on the shortage of women representation in Parliament, he said it was upon them to ensure that all women representatives were  voted into Parliament. The President, therefore, instructed all party representatives to sell the party policies and its manifesto to the electorate.

He pleaded with them to carefully assess all the parties and determine whether they stand for the truth or not.

Kweneng East regional chairperson, Mr Driver Motlokwa, stated that campaign in the region was easy because of Dr Masisi’s stewardship, saying the President had instilled freedom of speech among the citizenry.  

Mr Motlokwa said the electorate had commended President Masisi’s leadership for having responded to farmers pleas concerning stock theft.   He said the Kgomokhumo operation had proved successful demonstrating that most of the President’s promises were fulfilled in a short time. For her part, women’s wing chairperson, Ms Dorcas Makgato, pleaded with electorate not to be deceived by opposition promises.

Ms Makgato said President Masisi’s administration had ensured that women were not left out when some laws were crafted. 

 She cited recent amendments on the Land Act that allowed women to own land as well as the improved land use in this case ploughing fields.  She explained that farm owners were allowed to use 50 per cent of their fields for any other use.

Ms Makgato said the propespective parliamentary candidate, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja, was a capable representative who was trustworthy and capable of representing her constituents.  

Additionally, she stated that Ms Makwinja had an impressive record when she was working for Debswana as well as the various roles she assumed in the party.

Ms Makwinja was confident that the BDP would bag Mmopane/Lentsweletau constituency come October 23. ends