10 Jul 2022

Democrats have been urged to  familiarise themselves with the   Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) manifesto and constitution. 

 Speaking at the Western Regional Congress in Kang on Saturday, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane who is also the party’s chairperson said maintaining the BDP’s high performance  culture, democrats must promote party manifesto at all times as well as aligning them to the national Vision 2036 aspirations. 

He said the party held a long and incredible record of good performance since inception, and it was imperative to maintain the status quo.

He emphasised that, BDP had delivered its promises to Batswana. The curreny consultation on the review of the country’s constitution, showed BDP’s obligation toward keeping its promises.  “Re phathi e e dirang le molao motheo, re phathi e e dirang ditsholofetso, re phathi, e e diragatsang ditsholofetso,” he said.  Through commitment, he said  President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s international bilateral engagements, had added more points to the party’s high performance.

Therefore, he urged party members to support the President in all his endeavors to deliver and serve Batswana better for BDP to retain power in the coming elections.

For BDP to achieve retain power, Mr Tsogwane said  democrats must participate in economic development and planning agendas, and implored all to be ‘the ears and eyes’ of  government in their constituencies. He said they could do so, by promoting government programmes tailored to eradicate poverty amongst the less privileged communities He urged those elected into regional committee to fully support the leadership’s roadmap. He said the party through its manifesto Moreover, he said since there was no political party funding, all democrats must find means to raise funds to assist party operations to achieve its mandate.

Minister for State President urged BDP members to respect and support the party leadership. and to work as a team to avoid unnecessary conflicts that could lead to defections.

Political Education Election Committee (PEEC) chairperson, Mr Alec Seametso, urged party members to maintain unwavering commitment to the ideals of protecting and upholding the party’s legacy. 

He advised delegates to ensure transparency in their elections by observing the party’s statutes to avoid flawed proceedings. 

For Regional elections, Mr Hendricks Jacobs garnered 66 votes against 63 by Aidoo Leshope to claim regional chairmanship, while Pako Bahedi bagged 64 votes against 60 for Gracious Soke for vice chairperson post.

Secretary position went to Ms Keineetse Nfonyana after beating Ms Elizabeth Swartz Mokomo with 68 votes against 61 and Ms Kebaneilwe Mmesetse was unopposed for vice secretary position.

Ms Elizabeth Mosuzu was elected regional treasurer with 95 votes against Ms Ipuseng Lekgolo’s 33 votes, Mr Joshua Nkamane is vice treasurer and Mr Lemon Mothibi was nominated to the Political Education and Elections Committee. Ends