24 Oct 2024

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has presented the BDP as the only party of choice which has sustained the country with robust programmes and policies in place to transform livelihoods.

President Masisi said this when launching Kgalagadi South parliamentary candidate, Ms Diana Kaartze and 21 council candidates in Tsabong on October 22.

He called on voters to choose BDP candidates in the upcoming general elections as it was one of the most successful political parties in Africa with strong democratic ethos. 

“The BDP track record is well known; we have led one of the most peaceful and transparent countries in Africa, the most democratic country in Africa, and we have held elections the longest in Africa,” he said.

Dr Masisi urged voters not to vote the opposition parties into power as they may tarnish the peace and tranquility that Botswana is known for.

He said the people must pay particular attention to Umbrella for Democratic Change’s leader who incited violence, adding that if the opposition members removed BDP campaign posters at night, it was a reflection that they could not be trusted.

He called for BDP members to stay true to the party and set aside their differences, adding that those who have lost primary elections must support those who defeated them looking at the bigger picture of ensuring that the party won the upcoming general elections.

He pleaded with Kgalagadi South voters to vote for the BDP as the party had delivered on its 2019 promises, including manufacturing a locally produced electric vehicle and would soon manufacture buses.

He said under the BDP rule, they made easier internet accessibility with high speed internet connectivity, adding that government has rolled out programmes and policies such as Chema Chema, Thuo Letlotlo, Temo Letlotlo, and Maja a Ikgorosa to boost the economy.

He said the Tsabong Multispecies Abattoir will soon open and present market opportunities for farmers and value chain development and thus encouraged citizens to apply for the aforementioned programmes to boost their produce to move the country towards food security and food self-sufficiency.

He added that for the first time in history, government allowed Batswana to benefit from more than one programme simultaneously.

He underscored that the BDP manifesto entailed economic inclusivity to enable Batswana to become players in their own economy rather than be by-standers by enacting laws that included Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in decent places in malls, as per the reset agenda five priority areas.

Dr Masisi said Batswana were faced with a challenge of land distribution and the government changed policy and legislation to enable Batswana to access land faster, adding they were able to develop the water infrastructure, and improved power connectivity.

He said the opposition in Kgalagadi South should not confuse voters as they presented no plausible future prospects and voters should instead see delivered government projects such as Lobu Small Stock Farm, construction of Tsabong Hospital and the complete Tsabong Multispecies Abattoir.

He added that if they voted Ms Kaartze as their MP, she would ensure implementation of the Werda, Kokotsha and Makopong water project which was underway.

Kgalagadi South campaign manager, Mr John Toto said the constituency was doing well adding that the primary elections went smoothly although they had challenges which they were able to solve amicably.

He described Ms Kaartze as an astute leader among the six BDP women vying for a parliamentary seat and thus encouraged BDP members to support her.

Tswapong South parliamentary candidate, Ms Dorcas Makgato, underscored that it was pertinent to support women candidates.

She thus called on the electorate to make history for the constituency by electing its the first female MP.

Jwaneng-Mabutsane parliamentary candidate, Mr John Motsumi, stated that the BDP stood for consultation, peace and stability which were critical tenets of democracy.

He asked the residents of the constituency to vote for Ms Kaartze and the party’s council candidates to better deal with the challenges in the constituency, adding they would ensure that the BDP manifesto was implemented.

Ms Kaartze encouraged the residents to vote for the BDP as it was able to deliver on its 2019 promises, thus it was important for the voters to bring it back to power.

She promised to ensure that the road infrastructure development underway was implemented accordingly.ENDS