29 Oct 2024

As Batswana go to the polls on October 30, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says unlike the opposition, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is people-centric, as evidenced by programmes developed over the years to improve the livelihoods of the citizenry.

He said on October 28 during the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) star rally to canvass for last-minute votes in Gweta that the opposition was mere formations that lacked the necessary vision to carry the nation forward.

“Ba kgopisegile gore re bo re buisantse le komponi ya diteemane ya De Beers gore re bone kokeletso ya diabe re le lefatshe la Botswana,” he said of the successful negotiations for a better deal Botswana had with De Beers.

He said all opposition was opposed to the move that had the potential to catapult the socio-economy of Batswana.

In the same vein, President Dr Masisi said the now viable move to place an embargo on certain horticultural products also bore the brunt of the opposition during its infancy.

He told his audience that programmes geared towards the whole horticultural products value chain would be in the offing if his party was given another shot at the helm of governance.

He said if voted into power, the BDP-led government had plans to make sure that the people of Nata/Gweta benefitted greatly from its wildlife and fertile land through enhanced agricultural technologies; something he said would help create employment and improve the livelihoods of the people of the constituency.

The electorates in the area, he said should start to devise ways on how they were going to use the elephants’ quota they would get in November.

This, he said was besides the fact that the Nata/Maun road was undergoing construction.

The BDP, he said, had proved its worth during difficult times in the past, including during the COVID-19 outbreak adding that the party moved with speed to save the lives of many Batswana, which demonstrated its ability to lead and protect its citizens in times of crisis, instilling confidence and reassurance in the audience.

This, he said was in spite of the barrage of criticism meted on the BDP government by those in the opposition, some of whom he said claimed there was no disease.

Batswana, he said should open their eyes and realise that the opposition had got nothing to offer and should as such deny them votes during elections.

BDP parliamentary hopeful, Mr Polson Majaga prayed to the people of the constituency to keep their eyes on the ball during elections and vote for the BDP if they wanted to see further improvement of their livelihoods.

Campaign manager, Mr Molaodi Gaolebalwe, shared other speakers’ sentiments and warned Batswana against voting for the opposition, which he said could only spoil the peace and tranquility that had always reigned in Botswana.

He stated that some leaders within the opposition circle would reversed the many gains attained under the BDP’s ruler ship.

Member of the party’s central committee, Ms Angelinah Sengalo promised President Masisi and the democrats across the country that rigorous groundwork in terms of campaigns had been done and that the party was ready to bag Nata/Gweta constituency come polling day.

Kgosi Zephaniah Makosha of Gweta had earlier in his welcome remarks commended President Masisi for his inspiring leadership that fostered peace and prosperity for all thanks to the many programmes tailored to uplift the livelihoods of the entire citizens.

He singled out the water treatment plant in Gweta, which he said was a welcome development indeed to ensure portable drinking water for the people.

The construction of the Nata/Maun road, he said was yet another milestone that would ensure speedy development reached Gweta. ENDS