26 Aug 2019

The four prospective candidates eyeing Lobatse constituency have promised to address all of the town’s challenges if elected to office.

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) parliamentary candidate, Mr Orapeleng Kakoma said he would work hand in hand with his party to create employment opportunities. He said focus would be directed at addressing water shortage in Lobatse if they attained power.

Speaking during the political debate on August 26, Mr Kakoma blamed unemployment on some government policies which he said were not transforming the economy.

He said the UDC would turn Lobatse into an industrial town using leather products. 

“There is a problem of unemployment in Lobatse and we at UDC promise that we would create sustainable jobs. We believe that leather from Botswana Meat Commission can be used to make industries that can create sustainable jobs. We are saying Lobatse will have factories for clothes, bags and belts,” he said.  

Mr Kakoma further promised that they would address lack of access to land in Lobatse.

He said many people in Lobatse did not have land yet there were many plots in the town which had not been occupied for decades. He said he would make sure that the plots were taken and redistributed to landless citizens.

Concerning shortage of water, Mr Kakoma said the hilly terrain around Lobatse could offer opportunities for water resources. “We at UDC say a dam should be constructed near Lobatse and source water from these hills,” he said. 

The UDC candidate further said Lobatse had the potential for cultural tourism, which should be used to boost the town’s economy. He also said he would address the problems at Athlone Hospital.

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) candidate, Dr Thapelo Matsheka said his party deserved to be returned to power because it had developed the economy of the country from low to middle-income status. He said they intend to transform the economy to high-income status with more jobs created.

Focus, he said, would be on infrastructure development if elected to be Member of Parliament for the constituency.

“Lobatse is lagging behind in terms of developments. Places like Woodhall do not have a sewerage system. We would ensure that we source funds for infrastructure development because there is no how you can create jobs and attract tourists without developing infrastructure,” Dr Matsheka said. 

Dr Matsheka also promised to turn Lobatse into a centre of excellence for small, medium and micro enterprises. He also said he would lobby for the old teacher training centre facility to be turned into a centre for the development of arts and sports.

Dr Matsheka said his party has an ongoing plan to create a leather park industry in Lobatse which would create many jobs in the town. He promised to lobby for the development of agro-tourism using Lobatse farms and also cultural tourism.

Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) candidate, Mr Nehemiah Modubule said he would push for the construction of a new hospital because Athlone Hospital was too old.

“When my term ended as an MP of this constituency, there was design for construction of a new hospital like the ones in Mahalapye and Maun. We want this hospital as Lobatse community,” Mr Modubule said.

He added that there was a master plan for water supply in Lobatse. He further said there was a rehabilitation centre planned at the old mental hospital facilities.

“Where is that rehabilitation centre as we speak? We were also promised integrated offices. Where are they now?” he asked.

He said just like Selebi Phikwe, Lobatse should be accorded special treatment to help in stimulating the economy.

Alliance for Progressives (AP) candidate, Mr Shaffi Pandor said he would advocate for the maintenance of Athlone Hospital because it was dilapidated. He added that he would also ensure regular maintenance of Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital as well as the Institute of Health Sciences.

Mr Pandor also promised to follow up on problems facing BMC so that they were addressed.

He added that his party would use historical sites and hills to make Lobatse a cultural tourism centre.

He said they would tap into existing sporting facilities to turn Lobatse into an attractive sporting centre to boost the economy of the town. Ends