24 Jul 2022

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairperson, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has appealed to Kanye North constituency branch to remain united as they approach BDP Elective Congress set to be held next month in Tsabong.

He said this at Kanye the North branch congress on Saturday at Ranaka’s Boiteko Junior  Secondary School, where eight  delegates and four observers were voted to partake at the coming national congress. 

This year’s congress follows postponement of 2020 elective congress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Tsogwane urged democrats to remain united for the sake of the party’s stability. 

He said team work was crucial for the national congress and the subsequent national general elections in 2024. 

“It is important for the party to remain united, stable and resolute in the mandate to keep it in power at the coming general elections,” he said. 

Mr Tsogwane, who is also Vice President of Botswana, informed members about his desire to retain BDP chairmanship. 

He advised democrats that traditionally Botswana Democratic Party chairmanship should be attained by Vice President as it had a lot to do with party reformation and restoration, thereby canvassed for their support to ensure that such tradition continued for the benefit of the party.

He advised democrats that party elections were not about candidates as individuals, but rather about the party, therefore, they should put the party interest first by respecting the processes. 

“The central committee is a very critical platform as it is the heart and cornerstone of the party, which needs people of integrity who will be working closely with the President. 

Though critical it only has 18 positions, meaning that only a few will occupy those seat.

We, therefore, need to be more focused than ever in voting those who occupy those positions,” he said.

He said as the 2024 general elections approach, ‘the national congress and the primary elections must be conducted in a constructive manner with the view of building the party’. 

Mr Tsogwane cautioned the democrats against fallouts post party elections, adding that such created instability, thereby weakening the party.

He urged them not to be led astray by the social media reports, which he said were usually in pursuit of some unpatriotic agendas labelled against the party, adding that such reports were just desperate attempts to discredit Botswana Democratic Party and promote certain agendas.

Mr Tsogwane said he was also disturbed by some members who fed the media with false information aimed at causing conflict and tarnishing his name and that of the party.

Deliberating on milestones achievements, he said government remained committed towards strengthening the country’s socio-economic conditions as espoused in the Reset Agenda. 

He said efforts by government to successfully remove Botswana form grey listing, after deficiencies in the country’s compliance was commendable. 

For his part, Member of Parliament for Kanye North, Mr Thapelo Letsholo appreciated the Vice President’s presence in their mist, saying it was a demonstration that Mr Tsogwane valued the Kanye North constituency.

He indicated that the visit would further encourage and accord them the strength to work harder in performing party duties, adding that it would also revive their spirits as Botswana Democratic Party activists. 

“We are now energised and spirited to deliver more at the national congress and also in the 2024 national general elections,” he said.

I wish you could relay the message to the President, o mmolelele gore rona mo Kanye Bokoni re na le ene e bile go sa belaesege, bosigo le motshegare, re mo tlhomamisetsa gore ditlhopho tse di tlang, re di ya le ene, ka ene, mang a rata kapa a sa rate, re tlaa sireletsa party ka sengwe le sengwe se re nang le sone ka nako tsotle, ka tsotlhe tse re nang le sone,” he said.

Kanye North branch chairperson, Mr Phenyo Thekeletsa assured the party chairperson that his team would rally behind him. 

“We understand that it is our duty to stand as one in cordial relation and with that triumph is eminent,” he said. ends