14 Oct 2019

Real Alternative Party (RAP)’s parliamentary candidate for Gaborone-Bonnington North Mr Onkemetse Clark-Lerubisi says top on his priority areas when elected into office will be the restoration of the dignity of the ordinary Motswana.

Mr Clark-Lerubisi, who was speaking at his launch on Saturday, said the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was not doing much to address the needs of Batswana.

He stated that once in office, of the many things he would do, with his party’s backing, would be to ensure that every Motswana and not only a handful, benefited from the country’s economy.

Mr Clark-Lerubisi said he would also advocate for the promotion of women’s health as it was apparent that this section of the population was battling several health challenges peculiar only to it.

He said he would push for the establishment of health facilities dealing specifically with women’s health challenges.

The parliamentary hopeful also informed the electorate that he would put a lot of focus towards the resolution of unemployment.

He said RAP was committed to affording unemployed citizens an unemployment benefit of P3 250, an amount that he said would help restore the dignity of the unemployed and also put an end to the payment of low wages through programmes such as Ipelegeng.

On another issue, Mr Clark-Lerubisi said the party would also vehemently oppose corruption in all its forms, stating that under RAP rule those convicted of corrupt practices would be sentenced to death.

Appealing for votes for Mr Clark-Lerubisi, RAP chairperson Mr Gaontebale Mokgosi said the party would, once in power, revolutionise Botswana’s job market by industrialising the country’s economy.

Mr Mokgosi said Botswana’s job market being dominated by service jobs was detrimental to efforts to grow the economy.

He said RAP was committed to reversing this trend by introducing jobs that could diversify and grow the economy.

The party’s deputy national messenger and also Gabane-Mmankgodi parliamentary candidate Mr Nkwalili Nkosana described Mr Clark-Lerubisi as a capable leader who had the backing of a unique party with the capability to turn around the fortunes of all Batswana, particularly the poor.

Mr Nkosana further assured the nation that the party would ensure that all Batswana, and not just the elite as well as foreign nationals, enjoyed the economic benefits of the country.

Another speaker, Mr Cyril Ndolo indicated that the fact that the party had fielded few candidates need not be seen in a negative light.

He said the party was fairly new, and that it having been able to field candidates for the upcoming general elections was indicative of the great things it would achieve in the course of time.

Mr Ndolo said the quality of the party’s candidates spoke volumes regarding its intentions to improve the lives of ordinary Batswana.

Party messenger, Ms Antonnete Ramasala said women continued to be murdered in high numbers in Botswana and that the government was not doing much to address the problem.

Like other speakers, she complained that the government was putting the interests of foreigners ahead of those of Batswana. ENDS