22 Sep 2024

Mahalapye East prospective parliamentary candidates tackled pressing issues facing the constituency, including the education sector, unemployment, shortage of potable water and drugs at government clinics and hospitals.

The prospective candidates presented their visions during the Radio Botswana debate  recently. 

Opening the debate was Ms Ethel Gompane, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) candidate, who emphasised her party’s commitment to ensuring that critical services, such as maternity care, were consistently available. She highlighted disruptions at Mookane Clinic due to maintenance as a failure of the current system. 

“School buildings in Mahalapye East are dilapidated, and the community is facing severe water shortages, forcing residents to resort to contaminated river water,” she said. Ms Gompane also expressed concerns about capitalism widening the gap between the rich and poor in Botswana, a situation her party aimed to address if elected.

Mr Thebe Setlalekgosi of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) concurred on the need for immediate reforms in the education system. He acknowledged the challenge of joblessness within the constituency and voiced his ambition to transition from councillor to member of parliament in order to better advocate for his constituents. Mr Setlalekgosi noted the local youth’s enthusiasm for sports and proposed that the P10 million allocated for the Constituency Community Fund be invested in building a stadium to foster sports development. He also encouraged constituents to apply for various government programs, including ChemaChema, Thuo Letlotlo, and the Youth Development Fund.

Mr Lazarus Lekgoanyana from the Botswana Patriot Front (BPF) expressed concerns about the health sector, highlighting the shortage of medicinal drugs and doctors. He lamented the deteriorating education system, asserting that education was a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all. Mr Lekgoanyana also called for a review of the current land allocation system.

While Mr Augustine Nyatanga, from  the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), echoed the sentiment regarding the lack of drugs in health facilities and poor academic performance among pupils at primary and secondary schools. 

He reiterated the urgent need to improve water availability in the area. 

If elected, Nyatanga pledged to enhance the Ipelegeng programme, transforming it into a more sustainable employment initiative, and promote agriculture among the youth. ENDs