15 Apr 2018

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) on Saturday (April 14) embarked on their star rally to endorse and edge Mochudi East voters to vote their Parliamentary candidate Mr Moagi Molebatsi in the bye-elections billed for this coming Saturday (April 21).

Speaking at the official launch of the UDC candidate, UDC vice president, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said Mr Bright Molebatsi was the rightful candidate as he was experienced to lead and represent the constituency in parliament and will fairly advocate and address lacking issues of Mochudi East that for a long time were overlooked.

“You as the Umbrella for Democratic Change members on Saturday the 21^st you should effect change and cause a substitution to better the lives of many. On behalf of Kgatleng residents and Batswana at large effect change vote UDC,” Mr Saleshando said.

He further said UDC was capable to lead and improve the lives on Batswana by utilising natural resources and put forth their strategies to curb and reduce unemployment, better education and focus on diversifying the economy to eradicate poverty.

He also advised voters to ensure a win with great margin and be ready for Moshupa-Manyana constituency parliamentary elections while readying for the nearing general election in 2019 by converting and soliciting for new members.

In his welcome remarks, Councillor for Boseja Central Mr Mpho Morolong said Mr Molebatsi was competitive than the rest of the candidates making him a great candidate for Mochudi East.

Mr Morolong said it was mandatory to legitimately vote and utilise the bye-elections to ensure another UDC member retained a seat in parliament.

“It is upon you as the UDC to vote right. Molebatsi is the right candidate to finish the race all through to the next general elections. The nation is watching you and waiting on UDC to make a change,” he said.

Moreover he reminded the voters to secure their national identity cards which are mandatory and previous voting cards which will be used again. 

He also advised that in case they lost them, IEC office has extended their working hours to service them and replace all lost cards.

Another speaker MP for Mochudi West Mr Gilbert Mangole said it was tradition in Kgatleng to vote and stand with opposition in this instance UDC as the ultimate unified movement of opposition parties.

Mr Mangole said Molebatsi was matured enough, long-suffering as he was not a quitter and not new to politics.

He said the UDC candidate was well known to the entire Bakgatla and had in countless times availed himself and used his resources to service Bakgatla as well as his outstanding generosity to the royal house. 

For his part, Mr Molebatsi said if he was voted into parliament he would advocate for lagging developments in the constituency being shortage of water, especially in the river villages and Bokaa will be his primary mandate in parliament.

Mr Molebatsi said the dilapidated DRM Hospital and shortage of medication was great jeopardy to the health of people in general and he was a better candidate to effect change in the constituency.

Moreover, he edged the community to actively involve themselves with issues of governance and democracy.

On another note, Mr Molebatsi said the school results in the region had deteriorated due to poor school maintenance and the working conditions of teachers and that he would work closely with dikgosi to enforce discipline for improved results.

Mr Molebatsi will be battling against Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Mr Jafta Radibe who is an independent candidate.

The bye-election comes after the Mochudi East seat was left vacant after the death of MP Isaac Davids of the BDP. ENDS