16 Jul 2022

Batswana continue to entrust the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) with the solemn responsibility of ruling, because there is no alternative, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said today when  addressing the BDP’s 58th Council here.

“We went to the polls in 2019 and Batswana embraced the vision we articulated for this country, and gave us the mandate of forming a government on the basis of our performance record and what we promised them. We rose to the occasion and beat the opposition as well as increasing the BDP popular vote from 45.5 to 52.7 per cent,” he said.

The President, who spoke under the theme: Unity and Consolidation,  added the opposition could not be trusted responsibility to govern as it had become evident that it was far from being a viable alternative.

Thus, he called on the BDP to remain united for it to effectively govern.

“It goes without saying that sustaining the stability and survival of the BDP depends on its capacity as a political organisation to work as a unified entity. Disunity should not have any stake in the BDP’s operations,” he said.

Dr Masisi said as a good steward, the BDP had ensured existence of various policy reforms, among which were those for land, and implementation of programmes such as digitalisation, all of which were aimed at making it easier for Batswana to participate in the economy and destiny of their country. 

President Masisi said the BDP government wanted to see Batswana producing not only for local consumption, but also for export purposes.

“We need to use our knowledge, science and methods [that are] well engrained in our traditions, to add value and commoditise all our products,” he said.

That should entail deployment of extensive body of knowledge to simulate solutions to common needs, which, he said, ranged from food security to pharmaceutical independence as well as development of technologies needed to advance wealth creation.

He said: “We need to tap deep into our indigenous knowledge-base to create new products and services unique to Botswana.”

He gave as examples of such knowledge, preparation of letsoku (ochre) which is used in cosmetic applications, khadi a popular traditional alcoholic beverage, or treatment services such as go baya thobega (a non-invasive, incision-free treatment for broken bones) and that of leebane or mototwane (epilepsy).

He called on Batswana to should resolve to see their country prosperous.

“There is need to demand more from innermost strength and every fibre of our being, while commanding our true potentials and faculties towards building and taking Botswana to greater heights,” he said. BOPA