08 Sep 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has called on democrats to unite behind the party by supporting all Bulela Ditswe winners and ensure that Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) candidates are voted into Parliament and council.

Addressing a star rally in Sojwe in Letlhakeng/Lephepe constituency, President Khama said all democrats should support their party candidates rather than putting forward their selfish interests.

He advised them to guard against power hungry people who ditched the party after losing the party primary elections. The President said Bulela Ditswe winners now represented the party and by voting them, electorates would be directly endorsing BDP. 

He however implored losers to remember that in a contest there would be one victor and those unsuccessful must aim for next time.

He said BDP has continued to welcome new members from opposition rank who now realise opposition parties are out to serve own interest rather than that of Batswana. “I don’t know why it took them long time to realise that they are wasting time with opposition parties,” he said.

President Khama expressed concern over some parties fermenting tribalism, the situation he said may destroy peace and democratic ideals the nations has achieved, adding that capability and not where the person originates should be the gauge in deciding political representation.

He said contrary to BDP detractors who claim presidential visits and interaction with the populace was wasteful, it is the obligation of political leaders to get firsthand information on problems encountered and consult Batswana on developmental processes.

President Khama said most of development and government assistance in place were borne out of such visits, where Batswana expressed concern on food security of the country and lack of employment, hence the introduction of ISPAAD, LIMID, Ipelegeng and poverty eradication programmes.

The BDP government is committed to eradicating abject poverty in the coming years to ensure that Batswana led a dignified life with the assistance of the private sector which has helped in the delivery of about 422 housing units to less fortunate members of the society, he said.

Batswana, he noted should vote BDP back into power because over the years it has constantly delivered on its mandate even in the face of world economic recession and not opposition parties which do not advance residents problems, but rather keep them and try to use them to discredit BDP as failure.

Another speaker, Mr Lee Bake said electorates should not repeat 2004 mistake to vote for opposition in Letlhakeng because they failed in their promise to create jobs because during campaigns they said the BNF key symbol opens doors for opportunities and job creation, but has since abandoned the key symbol for umbrella symbol because they realised the latter has failed.

He said opposition parties just want to unseat BDP, but fail to put forward convincing reasons and have no alternative projects to counter what the ruling party is offering Batswana. 

Mr Bake said though opposition parties discredit BDP programmes Batswana continue to benefit and appreciate of such assistance.

Other speakers, messrs Kabo Morwaeng, Mothophi Leo and Ngaka Ngaka urged democrats to simply vote BDP candidates to keep President Khama back to statehouse.

They said BDP policies and programmes are closer and friendly to the less fortunate such as free education, free ARVs, a sign that BDP could be trusted, as it has also managed to take services to the people.

The BDP prospective parliamentary candidate for Letlhakeng Lephephe, Mr Liakat Kably said its commendable for government to have sailed through the recession and delivered services such as free medical treatment and other social safety nets.  ENDS