03 Jul 2022

Democrats have been urged to proudly talk about achievements of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) since the 2019 elections.

Speaking at the South East Regional Conference in Odi on Saturday, The Vice President and BDP chairperson, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said his party had made milestone achievements since the last general elections.

“There is a lot we have achieved and these are the reasons that should help us retain power in 2024,” he said.

 The Vice President urged party members to know party constitution and manifesto to lure members.

He said BDP had kept its promises as outlined in the 2019 manifesto, adding had they lost the elections, there could have been an anarchy since the opposition coalition had started to crack following suspension of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) vice president.

Mr Tsogwane said following 10 years of isolation, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi had rebuilt friendships with the international community, a move that had borne fruits as the country gained global recognition. He said it was through the president’s leadership that a Motswana was appointed to head SADC, adding that previous efforts failed due to lack of support from the previous administration.

BDP in its manifesto promised to review the country’s Constitution and this is currently underway, noted Mr Tsogwane.

He further said the country was in line to achieve Vision 2036 pillars, which were aligned to all the development plans.

Mr Tsogwane, therefore, said the same reasons that led Botswana Democratic Party to victory in 2019 could still be used in the next elections.

He said since independence, the country had stood by its foundation of Botho, self-reliance, democracy and unity, emphasising that as Botswana Democratic Party, they remained committed to these principles.

He said BDP remained in pursuit of policy of solidarity, political tolerance and economic as well as social progress.

He called on party members to support and respect the President as he represented their party brand.

The Vice President said upon his assumption of power, the President introduced Transformation Agenda aiming to take the economy from an upper-middle income country to a high-income country.

Mr Tsogwane said President Masisi wanted all Batswana to fully participate in the economy of their country and bridge the income gap between the rich and poor.

He further said the president wanted Botswana to accrue profits through the entire diamond value chain.

He said money accrued from diamond sales would continue to benefit the country as it would be channelled towards development.“As promised, Botswana Democratic Party has worked towards employment creation, poverty alleviation and bridging the income gap.”

Meanwhile, the Vice President  urged democrats to elect a regional committee that would fully support the leadership and work to retain constituencies that were previously in the hands of the opposition.

He further said the chairperson in be elected in the upcoming national congress should be someone who had a working relationship with the party president. For his part, Minister for State President , Mr Kabo Morwaeng urged party members to respect the President and the Vice President.

He praised the regional committee for wrestling constituencies from opposition and urged them to continue working hard to ensure Botswana Democratic Party swept all the council seats in the next elections.

Mr Morwaeng said there had been improvements in popular vote under President Masisi.

In the 2014 elections, Botswana Democratic Party registered 46 per cent of popular vote, but in 2019 after Presdient Masisi took over, the vote increased to 53 per cent.

He urged elected members to desist from attacking the party just to please people, but remember the ticket through which they occupied  elected offices. BOPA