09 Oct 2024

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader Mr Dumelang Saleshando, says he is a tried and tested leader who is ready to be the next president of Botswana.

Speaking during the launch of Francistown West parliamentary candidate and eight council candidates recently, Mr Saleshando said the race started in 2004 when he was elected as MP, becoming  a sole member of BCP in Parliament.

He said that was a preparation for him to speak freely and represent Batswana. Mr Saleshando noted that he was reelected to represent Batswana as MP from  2009 to 2014 , adding that another test came in 2014 when he lost elections. He said unlike some politicians who lose interest in politics after losing elections, he soldiered on.

“I accepted the results and continued to build the party,” he said.

Regarding his party’s preparedness for the general election, He said the BCP had the best qualified candidates and team that could run government in the health, education, economics, foreign affairs and other sectors.

On other issues, the BCP leader said if voted into power, his party would create 300 000 jobs in five years. He said his party respected the decisions of party members unlike other parties that brought back the candidates who lost the primary elections with high margins to represent the party.

Mr Saleshando also said while the BCP gave members a chance to vote for their representatives during the primary elections and accepted their choice, other parties declared that there would be no primaries or changed at the last minute.

For his part, the Francistown West Parliamentary candidate, Mr Mothusi Chimbisi, advised the youth to not vote for the party that had denied them residential plots, adding that BCP promised plots and P600 allowance as unemployment grant.

Party veteran, Ms Habaudi Hubona said she was hopeful that BCP followers would vote for the BCP and take Mr Saleshando to the State House.

She urged members to start canvassing for votes and to work as a team to oust the BDP through a vote. Ms Hubona also complained that school for the disabled that was built 20 years ago at Gerald Estates in Francistown had turned into a white elephant, saying  and if voted into power, BCP would ensure that it was utilised for its intended purpose.

Parliamentary candidate for Shashe West, Mr Oganne Mazwigwila, said the BDP government once told Batswana  that they had a found market for goats in Saudi Arabia and Norway that would lead to the reopening of the Francistown Botswana Meat Commission but many years had passed without any action.

Another party activist, Mr Dimbo Mashaba, said if Batswana wanted change and better lives for their children, they should give their vote to the BCP. He said there was shortage of drugs and personnel at  Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital, accusing the BDP of weakening the country’s health system. He said under BCP government, there would be mandatory regular health check-ups.

Mr Mashaba added that that the ruling party prided itself with the citrus fruit farm near Selebi-Phikwe, but the bulk of employment creation was where the fruits  were processed and gave an example of neighbouring Zimbabwe where they ploughed oranges and manufacture Mazoe squash locally. ENDS