Botswana innovation ranking demonstration of good BDP policies - Masisi
29 Oct 2024
Recently, Botswana was ranked among the top five most innovative economies in Africa.
This, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi told a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) star rally in Masunga on October 28, was partly due to the rolling out of internet connectivity across the country.
He said the BDP-led government had availed free internet through SmartBots at dikgotla, schools, malls and clinics, making it easy for people to access WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and other Internet services.
He said those in farms or cattle posts, could easily connect with Starlink, which has been engaged to offer cheaper internet services.
The President stated that since three weeks ago, government had connected 100 primary schools with high standard internet.
Regarding Banyana Farms, the President explained that the 100 000-hectare farm was owned by the state and after government acquired it, a company named Banyana {Pty) Ltd, under the Ministry of Agriculture was engaged to demarcate it into farms of different sizes.
“It was then divided into 25 different farms, the biggest one being 14 000 hectares, then 11 000 hectares, 7 000 hectares, 5 000 and 3 000 hectares,” he said.
He said applications for the farms were open to all, adding that as a citizen, he also applied and went through the necessary processes including an interview before he was allocated a small farm.
The farm, he said, was allocated on lease terms and he was paying monthly rental.
Dr Masisi condemned opposition parties for not telling the truth to the electorate by promising to increase old age pension to P1 800, a minimum wage of P4 000, salaries increment and allowance to the youth who were jobless as there was nowhere the opposition parties would get such amounts of money.
Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi, urged voters to ensure that their identity cards were safe in preparation for the October 30 general elections.
Mr Moatlhodi encouraged the BDP members to vote as one unit irrespective of having lost the primary elections, adding that they should give women positions of responsibilities by electing them.
Tati West constituency deputy vice chairperson, Mr Msindisi Lenyatso said there was no party that could rule and run the country better than the BDP.
He stated that his party was committed to improving livelihoods, citing programmes like Chema Chema, Temo Letlotlo, Thuo Letlotlo, CEDA which were put in place to assist Batswana.
In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Thabo Monaga of Masunga urged all parties to respect leaders more especially the President as he was the President of the whole country not only his party.
Kgosi Monaga also encouraged the electorate to carry themselves well during the election period and beyond, giving respect to other party members from the opposite sides. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Goweditswe Kome
Location : Francistown
Event : political rally
Date : 29 Oct 2024
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