14 Oct 2019

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) should not allow its traditional stronghold of Francistown West to fall into the hands of opposition parties during the October 23 general elections.

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is also the BDP leader, echoed these sentiments during the official launch of Francistown West parliamentary candidate, Mr Ignatious Moswaane and his team of council candidates on Sunday.

The President informed the BDP faithful that despite the mishap that happened in the 2013 parliamentary by-election, which saw the party failing to field a candidate, the party bounced back and proved in the 2014 general elections, that it was a force to be reckoned with as it reclaimed the constituency from the opposition.

 Dr Masisi explained that party members should speak with a louder voice during the general elections, to ensure that the BDP continued to find solutions to challenges currently afflicting Batswana.

He noted that the last elections were tough for the ruling party as it faced a myriad of internal challenges, but because of the trust that its members had, it emerged victorious.

“I am itching for a win on the 23rd and I know that residents of Francistown West will not disappoint me. BDP members should come in droves to the polls as we want to prove to the opposition that Batswana still trust us as a viable party that cares about their welfare,” he said.

The BDP, Dr Masisi posited, had a good record of delivering on its promises to the electorate, especially on the economic front.

He urged the electorates to vote for Mr Moswaane and council candidates to ensure that the party stretches its period of governance.

The ruling party, he maintained fought very hard in the past to make a foothold in Francistown and should never allow opposition parties, which have no experience in economic management, the chance to come back and reclaim the constituency.

The BDP manifesto, he added, promises to deliver inclusive growth to every citizen in all sectors of the economy.

On other issues, the BDP leader said that if voted back into power, his party would carefully review the country’s constitution in consultation with Batswana, to ensure that it was in line with current trends.

As an indication of the party’s stability, he said that the BDP nomination processes went smoothly compared to those of the opposition parties.

He mentioned that the BDP manifesto acknowledged that the time had come to transition to a knowledge based economy instead of relying solely on the extractive industries.

This, he noted, was evidenced by policies which they had developed, that would enable citizens and foreign investors to do business with ease.

In addition, Dr Masisi explained that they wanted Batswana to run businesses from their homes and to maximise the utilisation of their farms.

He urged BDP members to always follow the party’s constitution to ensure that it continued to enjoy success in the general elections.

For his part, Mr Moswaane explained that despite the challenges, the BDP was the only party better positioned to lead the country to prosperity.
 

He also applauded the President for his investment missions outside the country, noting that they had already started yielding results for the economy.
 

Mr Moswaane urged the electorate to put their faith in the ruling party during the general elections, if they wanted to enjoy the fruits of an inclusive economy.
 

He praised the BDP leader as a capable individual who had the necessary qualifications to lead the country into the future. ENDS