06 Oct 2024

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is eyeing another clean sweep of all Gaborone constituencies.

The party chairperson and Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said Saturday when launching Gaborone North and Gaborone Bonnington North parliamentary candidates, Mr Rebaone Seema and Ms Annah Mokgethi.

Mr Tsogwane said Gaborone constituents had during the past elections voted out opposition candidates and their party leaders, and the same fate would befall the parties this year as the ruling party had proved its worth through presenting credible candidates.

He said the ruling BDP had put in place sound policies and programmes to propel Botswana and its citizens to greatness.

Furthermore, he said the current administration since being given a mandate in 2019, developed and uplifted livelihoods despite COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the economy.

As such, he said the party was confident of retaining Gaborone North and Gaborone Bonnington North constituencies and others as the BDP message was clear and backed by its track record of sound policies and programmes.

He said the BDP was offering policies and programmes for sustainable livelihoods whereas opposition parties were promising increased allowances such as old age pension, students’ allowance and salaries among others.

Mr Tsogwane said increasing allowances was not a sustainable intervention as it could not be inherited by family members upon the demise of the beneficiary, whereas members could inherit proceeds from any empowerment programme after the demise of the beneficiary.

Also, he said the BDP when compared to all opposition parties, was led by a visionary leader in President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi whom Batswana trusted to lead the country.

Furthermore, he said BDP inner democracy was evident as it was the only party to go for election congress in the election year in order to give its president the election mandate.

“When we talk of democracy, we walk the talk within the BDP,” Mr Tsogwane said.

The BDP chairperson also said voting for Mr Seema and Ms Mokgethi was voting for President Masisi, the party programmes and policies as contained in the party manifesto to continue to be implemented.

Former BDP secretary general and Gaborone North MP, Mr Mpho Balopi said although the current administration tenure was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot had been achieved in the city such as improving its lighting which was core to fighting crime. He said the party had launched economic empowerment programmes such as Chema Chema, to uplift livelihoods and close social inequalities gap.

Therefore, he called on Democrats to unite and send Mr Seema and Ms Mokgethi to Parliament.

Also on the same day in Kanye, Vice President Tsogwane launched Mr Thapelo Letsholo, who is seeking a second term after serving as Kanye North MP.

Mr Tsogwane described Mr Letsholo who is the party’s Kanye East parliamentary candidate, as a hard working and honest individual.

He said Mr Letsholo came with ideas and motions that were hard to reject during the 12th Parliament.

“Mr Letsholo is a hard worker and has shown that he has the best interest of the country and his constituency at heart,” he said.

He informed the democrats that they were now faced with a task of selling the BDP manifesto to the public, a job he said was not to be taken lightly because of competition from opposition parties.

Mr Tsogwane said BDP had demonstrated to be a credible party and therefore, it was only fitting that they gave it another chance to lead.

The opposition lacks vision as shown in their manifestos that come with unrealistic ideas, Mr Tsogwane said and applauded President Masisi for coming up with inclusive initiatives.

Former Mmathethe/Molapowabojang MP, Mr Peter Siele also informed the gathering that Mr Letsholo was a credible candidate who had represented the party and his constituency well.

Mr Siele said the BDP had done a lot to develop the Botswana and its people citing professors and doctors in different fields and as well developments, especially roads as examples.

Mr Letsholo for his part, promised Kanye East residents to make them proud and always strive to fulfill their desires.

United he said, they would ensure the constituency prospered. The council candidates were launched along side the parliamentary candidates. ENDS