24 Oct 2024

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has been described as the only political formation with time-tested and solid foundation. 

BDP chairperson also Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said, during the launch of parliamentary candidate and council hopefuls in Nata recently, that the BDP remained the only party of choice for any Motswana wanting continued socio-economic growth. 

“The promises by the opposition are empty and unrealistic. They do this during every general election to try and deceive Batswana,” he said, dismissing such promises.

Mr Tsogwane stated that BDP-led government had a staunch belief and conviction in developing human capital, a feat he said remarkably helped transform Batswana and their country. 

He said agriculture, which remained Botswana’s engine of growth, is another sector the government has exploited over the years to create sustainable livelihoods and ensure food security. 

To this end, he said, the government had continued to invest in the sector by injecting finance into it to transform it further. 

Against this background, the BDP chairperson wondered why some people were against the government’s effort to procure top breeding animals from other countries to improve the quality of breeding stock in Botswana. 

He said the opposition has proved to be an albatross in the neck for development and called on the people of Nata to shun them. 

“They have opposed the passing of bills that were intended to develop Batswana. In a nutshell, they have denied different groups of Batswana the right to enjoy certain rights contained in the proposed constitutional amendment bill,” he said. 

Mr Tsogwane was happy that despite the two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, the BDP-led government was able to strive to pass laws geared towards citizen economic empowerment and participation, including the law to review concession leases and the Botswana/DeBeers diamond deal, which saw Botswana increase its stake. 

He cited the vegetable import embargo as one of the many deliberate ways the government devised to address food security and encourage an export-led economy. 

He said introducing programmes such as Chema-Chema needed to be commended because it was a vehicle meant to help the informal sector so that Batswana would not be left behind when other countries benefited from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. 

In his acceptance speech, Nata/Gweta parliamentary candidate, Mr Polson Majaga reminded BDP members that the party was more significant than individuals and that they should put the party’s interests first. 

One of the speakers at the launch, Ms Boitumelo Gofhamodimo was happy that the Nata/Gweta constituency had fielded youthful people during the upcoming elections. 

She stated that this showed the BDP’s confidence in young people’s ability to do the job. Nata/Gweta campaign manager, Mr Molaodi Gaolebalwe echoed Mr Tsogwane’s words, saying the BDP’s development path was clear and could be traced back to the party’s establishment. 

He said BDP deserved another shot at the helm of governance, unlike other parties. Boteti East parliamentary hopeful Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe warned the people of the Nata/Gweta constituency to be wary of deception by the opposition and remember the excellent work courtesy of BDP over the years. ENDs.