01 Oct 2019

Leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Advocate Duma Boko has described his party’s manifesto as an answer to Batswana’s challenges, especially unemployment and low wages.

Speaking at the party’s parliamentary and councillors candidate launch for Lentsweletau-Mmopane constituency in Kopong on September 28, Advocate Boko, who is also Bonnington North parliamentary candidate, said the UDC manifesto was committed to three issues; creating 100 000 jobs in 12 months, P3 000 as minimum wage and P1 500 for old age pension.

Also in the UDC’s manifesto promises, Advocate Boko said, was the P2 500 tertiary allowance as well as provision of sanitary towels to all girl pupils, which he said would accord girl pupils dignity.

He said the 100 000 jobs in 12 months was viable since the UDC manifesto was research-based and added that the BCL mine would also be opened under the UDC-led government.

Furthernore, Advocate Boko said it was worrying that the same Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) led government was now trying to make a U-turn by promising to re-open the mine, which begs the question, why was it closed in the first place.

Advocate Boko said the UDC had identified areas where the 100 000 jobs would be created, adding that the findings indicated possibility of attaining more than 100 000 jobs.

In the UDC manifesto, the party also talks about hemp industrialisation which the UDC government was advocating for, as one of the areas that would help realise 100 000 jobs.

The party president has in the past told people that he has already secured  investors who were willing to invest in hemp industry once the UDC wins elections in October 2019.

He said the other area that would help the UDC government generate income was the tourism industry.

Other areas of commitment were to transform the public health system and the education system as well as expand opportunities for Batswana through policies and strategies that availed services and resources for growth.

Advocate  Boko said the other big issue was citizens not having land. He said statistics showed that over 600 000 Batswana were on the waiting list for land.

Launching Mr Olebogeng Watshipi and councillors, Advocate Boko said Batswana should vote for UDC candidates as the party would put in place a policy that would ensure that the economy was in the hands of Batswana as well as to use a share of foreign reserves to develop infrastructure such as  roads.

Accepting the mantle, Mr Watshipi said it was time Batswana trusted the UDC and removed the BDP for it had led the country for 53 years.Mr Watshipi promised to work for the betterment of Batswana through the UDC and develop his constituency for it to flourish. ENDS