28 Aug 2024

As the wheel for the national general election keeps turning and getting closer, parliamentary candidates in the Molepolole South Constituency debated before their electorate to canvas for votes.

The debate, which was held at Kgari Sechele Senior Secondary School on Monday, saw party representatives among them the incumbent MP,  Mr Kabo Morwaeng of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Mr Kagiso Gopolang of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Mr Shima Monageng of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Dr Tlamelo Mmatli of Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and an Independent Candidate Dr Seratwa Ntloedibe.

Mr Gopolang of the BCP said he decided to contest in the constituency after realising that the BDP had failed the residents.

He said shortage of water was ‘the most challenging issue in the constituency.’

“The last time I saw water coming out of his tap was in 2013, and despite the promises by the ruling party nothing has changed,” he said

Other concerning issues, he said were unemployment, health, land and roads infrastructure. Therefore, he urged the electorate to vote him to Parliament so that he could bring more developments.

Mr Morwaeng of the BDP, argued that he had advocated for  developments ever since he came into office in 2019.

He said under his leadership, the constituency saw numerous developments which had been stagnant, among them water connection through the Gamononyane pump station to Molepolole.

Mr Morwaeng stated that water has arrived in their village, and the only remaining task was to replace the old pipes with new and better ones to ensure residents had access to drinking water in their homes.

He mentioned that a contract to construct reservoirs would begin this September, alongside the installation of water pipes to reach households.

Additionally, Mr Morwaeng emphasised his commitment to completing the largest museum in the country at Ntsweng, as well as overseeing the ongoing construction of tribal administration facilities.

He further said the 28-kilometre bypass and the double lane road from Metsimotlhabe to Molepolole, two police stations and two primary schools would be constructed.

Therefore, he appealed to voters to give him another opportunity to represent them in Parliament.

Dr Mmatli of the BPF argued that acute water shortage had prevailed for a long time in the constituence say people had resorted to buying water.

This, he said called for a water distribution plan, which would allow residents to have access to water. He added that unemployment continued to be a thorn in the flesh as many youth remained jobless and worse.

Dr Mmatli said Gamodubu landfil continued to be a health hazard to residents of Gamodubu stating that it should be addressed to avoid putting their lives in danger.

The Independent candidate, Dr Ntloedibe, said she represented Bakwena from all walks of life including members of different political parties. She said the ruling party had failed to fulfill its promises such as provision of water in Molepolole, the bypass road, and shortage of educational materials in schools.

She said the water supply and road maintenance should be addressed as amatter of urgency.  

Dr Ntloedibe said corruption and misuse of funds was rampant as evidenced by failure complete critical projects.

The Umbrella for Democratic Change representative, Mr Monageng said he would bring with him a wealth of experience that could shape development in the constituency.

He said Molepolole should be an economic and industrial hub that created jobs for the youth due to its proximity to Gaborone. Mr Monageng said  the arts should promoted and put in place for the benefit of the youth, such would create employment for all.

He said lack of leadership in the constituency remained a challenge, therefore he urged electorates to vote him so that he could bring change and deal with challenges faced by Bakwena.

He said UDC manifesto was clear as it had been designed to address the woes of Batswana by increasing remunerations for Ipelegeng to P2500, introduction of living wage of P4 000 among others as they believe Botswana, with prudent management of funds could afford. ENDS