14 Aug 2022

 Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairperson Mr Slumber Tsogwane has appealed to fellow democrats to vote for him and his camp in the National Executive Elective Congress billed for August 27 in Tsabong.

Addressing the Northern Regional Congress in Borolong on Saturday, Mr Tsogwane said his camp was comprised of trusted men and women who were capable of taking the party forward.

His camp include former assistant minister and MP for Selebi Phikwe West Mr Kavis Kairo, Dr Lemogang Kwape of Kanye South,  BDP Treasurer Mr Satar Dada, former minister and MP for Takatokwane Mr Ngaka Ngaka, former councillor Ms Neo Kelaotswe, MP for Molepolole North Mr Oabile Regoeng and Chobe MP Mr Machana Shamukuni.

Mr Tsogwane told the congress that the camp included  experienced party loyalists who had a lot to offer the party.

On other issues, Mr Tsogwane, who is also the MP for Boteti West, appealed to democrats to work hand in hand with the party leadership in order for the party to retain power in the 2024 general election.

He warned them not to make a mistake by voting for opposition parties, which he said did not have the interest of Batswana at heart.

Mr Tsogwane said under the BDP government, Batswana enjoyed a lot of amenities and developments and that there was no reason to vote the party out of power.

He said BDP was the only part that respected the rule of law and because of this, the movement had enjoyed support from Batswana since independence.

“BDP has never failed Batswana and this is the reason why Batswana continue to retain it into power,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane explained that the country was undergoing a transformation from a middle-income economy to a high-income economy.

He said efforts to fast track the transformation were stalled by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.He, therefore, called on democrats to rally behind President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi as he was a visionary leader who had the interest of Batswana at heart.

Mr Tsogwane also assured party members that the factions that used to exist in the BDP were no longer there.

“We are now a united party and this is because of the current leadership under President Masisi,” he added.

He also urged Batswana to guard against some people who had a tendency to de-campaign President Masisi's administration.

He said such people scared away investors who could otherwise bring revenue to the country and improve the lives of Batswana.

On other issues, Mr Tsogwane assured the congress that the upgrading of the Semotswane -Mmandunyane, Shashemooke -Borolong-Chadibe and Mathangwane gravel road to bitumen standard was on track.

He said funds for the multi-million Pula project had been secured and the project would commence once the tendering processes were complete.

Mr Tsogwane explained that the project came with a lot of benefits among them creation of  employment for residents.

In his welcome remarks, Shashe West legislator Mr Fidelis Molao appealed to democrats to rally behind the party in order to retain power in 2024.

Mr Molao further informed the congress that the ruling party was committed to improving the lives of Batswana and that voting it out of power would be a grievous mistake.bFor his part, BDP central committee member and MP for Tati West Mr Simon Moabi said it was unfortunate that the northern region lost the Nkange constituency to the opposition.

Mr Moabi appealed for unity in the party, urging that those who would not emerge victorious in the elective congress should support others to move the party forward.

He cautioned against character assassination, which he said would not benefit the movement.

“It is the grass that suffers,” he said, referring to Batswana, who are the electorates. ENDS