08 Sep 2014

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is the number one party in Botswana, says President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Addressing a star rally in Sefhophe on September 4, President Khama said since Botswana had been rated as number one in Africa in terms of governance, this meant that the BDP was on top of the charts in Africa.

In this regard, there was no other party or organisation in the country that had the capacity and experience to govern this country except the BDP, said President Khama.

He said the ruling party government had also been rated as the least corrupt government in Africa because government had introduced the Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and anti- corruption committees at ministry level.

The BDP leader also urged residents to vote for the BDP in large numbers and recapture the Sefhophe ward from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). 

He said the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Mmadinare constituency; Mr Kefentse Mzwinila was the rightful candidate to continue where Vice President Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe left off as he will be retiring in October. 

He described Mr Mzwinila as a young vibrant and intelligent fellow who has done well in various levels of the BDP organisation including at central committee level.

The President expressed concern about the negative media reports about him and the BDP explaining that such unethical reports which are encouraged by opposition parties seek to tarnish his name and the image of the party.

He called on those that lost in primary elections to rally behind those who won and vote for the party. He said independent candidates who left the party after losing during ‘Bulela Ditswe’ will not be welcome into the party even if they win during the general elections.

President Khama called on Batswana to make sure that their registration cards and ‘Omang’ are in order for them to be able to cast their votes on October 24.

He said the BDP has the potential to win all wards and all the 57 constituencies and this can be possible if all BDP members go out and vote in large numbers.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Bobirwa, Mr Shaw Kgathi said Mr Mzwinla brings a wealth of skills and knowledge into the party.

e said next year the BDP intends to accelerate progress in bringing developments in the country and uplifting the lives of Batswana.

 He said the BDP is the only party that has development programmes that could upgrade the lives of Batswana.

For her part, the BDP prospective parliamentary candidate for Sefhare/Ramokgonami, Ms Dorcas Makgato- Malesu told members to put the party first and not individuals.

She said the BDP government has a good track record of developments and wealth creation for locals.

Ms Makgato-Malesu said CEDA has financed projects at a tune of P8.5 billion and created 48 000 jobs for locals. She called on Batswana to vote for the BDP to give the party the opportunity to continue to bring developments in the country.

Another speaker, Mr Mzwinila said though they experienced setbacks in last elections and lost the Sefhophe ward to the BCP, their intention was to win it back with a great margin.

Meanwhile, President Khama welcomed new members from the opposition into the BDP. He also showed all BDP council and parliamentary candidates in the Mmadinare constituency to residents, urging them to vote for their party on October 24.  ENDS