12 Mar 2018

The Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has implored residents of Ralekgetho ward in the Moshupa/Manyana constituency to vote for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) council candidate to ensure the party retained the seat which fell vacant after the death of Mr Calvin Rakala last month.

Speaking during the launch of Mr Matsorotsoro Motlhajoe in Ralekgetho on Saturday, Mr Masisi, also the area Member of Parliament said the area belonged to the BDP.

Mr Masisi said voting for any of the opposition candidates would be in vain since none of them hailed from the village and were therefore clueless about its realities on the ground. 

He argued that voting for an opposition candidate was regressive in that they would discourage residents from taking up available government programmes, policies and interventions to better their lives whereas voting for Mr  Motlhajoe, who he described as one of the finest in the village, would add value and have a positive, lasting impact on the ward and beyond.

Mr Masisi said the Umbrella for Democratic Change(UDC) candidate Mr Mokganedi Monare hopped from one party to the next and should not be trusted with the ward. 

He said Mr Monare left the BDP to join the Botswana Congress Party which is now under the UDC soon after losing primary elections in 2014 to the late Rakala.

Meanwhile Mr Masisi has advised the residents to treat as baseless, allegations trending on social media that he, together with some BDP leaders have looted the National Petroleum Fund.

He said the allegations were intended to distract voters ahead of the by-election scheduled for March 24 and tarnish the party’s good name. 

Mr Masisi also BDP chairperson further received 30 new members into the party. 

The BDP secretary general Mr Mpho Balopi in his remarks advised residents not to be shaken or moved by promises of castles in the air as the campaigns heated up. 

He said voting for the opposition was suicidal because they had no experience in governance.

Mr Balopi issued Mr Motlhajoe with the BDP constitution and advised him to read and internalise it so it became a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path.

Branch chairperson Mr Watson Thibelang said they were fighting tooth and nail to retain the seat adding the response was encouraging thus far. 

He said the situation was helped by the fact that Mr Gaokgakala Mosope who contested and lost to the late Rakala has since joined the BDP.

Mr Motlhajoe, for his part, said politics was a game of numbers thus challenged democrats to vote for him in large numbers. 

He said the BDP had a track record that spoke for itself. 

The youthful candidate also advised residents not to judge him by age. He argued that if he was good enough, he was old enough. Ends