22 Oct 2024

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) aims at capturing Selebi Phikwe East and West constituencies from the rule of the opposition parties saying a protracted governing by opposition led the town into sluggish development.

Selebi Phikwe has been under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) since 2019 general elections through Mr Kgoberego Nkawana of Selebi Phikwe East and Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse for Selebi Phikwe West.

Prior to joining forces with other parties in the opposition coalition of UDC, the Botswana Congress Party has been a dominant force in the copper/nickel mining town and it is against this backdrop that the BDP wants to swoop the town off the opposition grip.

“By voting for us, you will be pressing a green light for planned programmes such as Magokaganyane to your own benefit. But if you want this country to face financial austerity you may vote for the opposition who promise you, amongst other things, P4 000 living wage, P1 800 unemployment benefit and increased student allowance,” President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said at the double launch of Ms Beauty Manake and Mr Amogelang Mojuta for Selebi Phikwe west and east respectively on recently.

The President said dire financial effects of the opposition parties’ promises would trigger the economy into recession in under two months.

As such, he warned Selebi Phikwe residents that shunning the BDP would be akin to shooting at oneself.

Dr Masisi said the party’s manifesto contained all the believable and tangible ideals the BDP existed for and subsequently implored the voters to favour his party in the October 30 general elections.

The BDP leader also appealed to the general membership to canvass votes for the candidates saying their victory would by extension be bestowing him some fresh mandate to govern.

Actually, the President drummed for the party’s massive support in all the 61 constituencies and 609 wards, saying such a total annihilation of the opposition would be a show of gratitude to his leadership at the end of his presidential term.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Manake said she would continue dissecting and sharing contents of the BDP manifesto for a proper understanding by the electorate.

“For 15 years, we’ve been in opposition in this town and we have not been enjoying government programmes because we didn’t have representatives who could share with us but rather encouraged us to oppose anything put before us,” Ms Manake said.

She will wrestle for the control of the constituency with Messers Reuben Kaizer of the BCP and Dithapelo Keorapetse of the UDC.

Selebi Phikwe West has a total of 10 637 registered voters.

For his part, Mr Mojuta said the Selebi Phikwe East electorate had embraced his candidature and declared their unwavering support.

“Who’d I be to decline this call to represent the people of Selebi-Phikwe East? I treat this call with the utmost seriousness it deserves,” he said as he accepted his candidature.

He will face a competition from the immediate ex-member of Parliament, Mr Nkawana, UDC’s Mr Tebogo Venson, Dr Mokubung Mokubung of the Botswana Patriotic Party, Mr Ofentse Ithuteng of Botswana Socialist Party and Mr Johane Odubile as independent candidate for the 8 766 registered voters. ENDS