14 Apr 2024

SHOMA region has nominated President Mokgweetsi Masisi as the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) presidential candidate for the upcoming general elections.

Speaking during BDP Special Elective Congress of SHOMA region in Mahalapye on Saturday, party Chairperson, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said to intensify impact of available government programmes the President came up with a noble initiative of Mindset Change that was a game changer to nip rural poverty in the bud.

He said since independence, poverty in rural areas had been worrying and so was rural development to which the BDP led government came up with numerous programmes to address.

Mr Tsogwane who is also the Vice President and Boteti West Member of Parliament, said the party had sound and effective structures, capable of taking the country forward and to move it from an upper middle-income country to high-income status.

To that end, he said to date BDP remained a party of choice with no alternative.

BDP attributes are beyond reproach and the party cherishes the principles of good governance, democracy, peace and tranquility and therefore, deserves to be re-elected into power, Mr Tsogwane said.

Regarding rural-urban migration, Mr Tsogwane said the phenomenal fuelled poverty in rural areas as only the elderly and children were left behind.

To address this, he said government came up with flagship programmes such as Chema  Chema, Temo-Letlotlo and the yet to be launched Thuo-Letlotlo that were deliberately tailor made to improve the standard and quality of life for Batswana.

Mr Tsogwane implored democrats to subscribe to the party constitution as it spelled out what should be done during election year citing Bulela Ditswe rules and regulations.

Therefore, he said such a move would create a platform for tolerance among democrats with regard to all stages that involved party’s preparations towards elections.

He encouraged democrats to familiarise themselves with the party constitution and obey it to thwart unbecoming behaviour detrimental to the future of the party.

Mr Tsogwane was of the view that regional structures of the party were paramount as consultations on the ground were done through such structures using bottom-up approach, to aid in drafting programme, laws, policies and projects that were capable of changing people’s lives for the better.

Shoshong MP, Mr Aubrey Lesaso urged democrats to unite ahead of the general elections to ensure they emerged victorious.

He said the BDP trajectory over the years spoke volumes and implored Batswana to vote wisely and secure the future of the country. ENDS