18 Aug 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said the current state of Botswana’s economy will not allow for a P3 000 minimum wage.

Speaking at the launch of BDP Okavango constituency prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Bagalatia Arone and nine prospective council candidates, Dr Masisi said rather P1 000 will do.

He said P3 000 was too high for minimum wage and it would cripple the economy, with the possibility of many jobs being lost in the process.

He however noted that it was government’s wish that people could earn better, but it should also be considered that there were other things that needed financing from government coffers such as procurement of medical drugs, infrastructural developments, the non-working class and care for people living with disabilities, among others.

Dr Masisi said Botswana’s impressive economy was considered a model for countries in the region after registering a 4.2 per cent growth this year, hence government would continue to implement means of generating revenue.

On another issue, the President noted that the current BDP government believed in consultation, respect, Botho, freedom of expression, transparency and commitment to fighting corruption, among others.

He also said the party did not condone deviance, adding that members who would seem out of line would be dealt with accordingly.

On the issue of the hunting ban, Dr Masisi apologised for government’s mistake of imposing it without consulting communities first in 2014. To correct the mistake the ban was recently lifted.

“People’s lives are valued more than wild animals. We cannot sit back and watch while many people are being killed by elephants, something needs to be done. We took a decision as government that hunting be reinstated,” said Dr Masisi.

On a different matter, the President assured Okavango residents that soon mother tongue education would be introduced in schools.

Meanwhile, Dr Masisi pleaded with Okavango populace to vote for BDP as it had proved over the years to be a stable party.

He said people should vote for all the BDP council candidates because councillors played a crucial role in running of the country as they worked closely with the community, at the same time being well versed with government policies.

“Vote this team of councillors, do the same with the MP. It is not a secret that I want this presidency position, so I plead with you today that you vote for BDP in October,” he said.

One of the speakers at the launch, Mr Ditiro Majadibodu said this year’s election was a choice between good and bad, hence it was upon electorate to choose whether they wanted good or bad, but if they wanted good, they should vote for BDP.

He said under the new BDP, things had changed as the President wanted people of integrity, and as such Mr Arone was one such.

Another speaker, Mr Lotty Manyepetsa also advocated for Mr Arone and the team of council candidates.

He said Okavango people should vote for BDP legislator and councillors, adding that  by so doing they would have voted Dr Masisi into power. Mr Manyepetsa said voting President Dr Masisi into power would be a blessing since the policies and programmes of his government had Batswana’s interests at heart.

For his part, Mr Arone said he was grateful for the President having recognised him and made him a minister.

He therefore promised that given another opportunity, he would work hard for the party, not only in Okavango, but the country at large. Ends