15 Apr 2024

The P3 billion set aside for project implementation in the new Good Hope/Mmathethe constituency, demonstrates commitment of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) led government to uplift lives of people in the area by undertaking several key development programmes.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi said this when addressing a BDP rally in Good Hope on April 14.

Dr Masisi said the bulk of the funds would go towards water reticulation and road construction projects across the constituency.

“Together with countless other projects that are being implemented throughout the country, they are evidence of government’s commitment to develop Botswana and its citizens,” he said.

Describing Botswana as a massive construction site, he said the heightened pace of developments were intended to help address the problem of unemployment, which he said bedevilled mostly the youth, who formed about 60 per cent of Botswana’s population.

“As for job creation, we have turned Botswana into a big construction site and these projects that we are implementing have opened up job opportunities for our people, especially the youth,” he said.

Further to them being afforded the opportunity to land jobs through ongoing construction projects, President Masisi implored the youth to make effective use of the available economic empowerment programmes to turn their lives around.

He said resilience and a drive to emerge above the competition were key ingredients to them succeeding in their chosen empowerment pursuits, which he said also ensured that public funds through which they were funded did not go to waste.

Appealing for an extension of the BDP’s stay in power, President Masisi said in addition to selflessly guarding the interests of citizens, the party was the only one not characterised by infighting and internal wrangling. “Peace reigns supreme in the BDP, and you will note that this trait is uncommon in other political parties.

This is another reason why you should vote for us in the coming elections,” he said. Urging Batswana to ignore the opposition in favour of the ruling party, Dr Masisi said the former were devoid of fresh and original ideas that could improve the plight of citizens.

Another plus for the party, he said was its respect for labour laws, something he said had seen an improvement to labour relations in recent years. Southern region’s chairperson Mr Motsamai Kegakilwe commended government for its continued drive to develop the region.

He also said programmes such as Temo-Letlotlo and Chema Chema, whose aim was to support the informal sector, were a fitting addition to previously existing initiatives through which Batswana could generate wealth.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng II of Barolong said in conducting its primary elections, the BDP should select capable candidates who, should they win during the general elections, could prove worthy leaders capable of satisfactorily serving the nation. Ends