16 Feb 2025

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has been elected into government by a population that needed a different approach from the previous Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) administration, and the UDC must make good on it’s pledge to improve the livelihood of Batswana.

Sharing his views on the proposed budget allocations for the coming financial year on Thursday, Selebi Phikwe East legislator, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana said there was no mention of improving the earnings of Ipelegeng workers and tertiary students as contained in the UDC election manifesto.

He said other than the old age pension scheme upgraded from P830 to P1 400 the 2025/26 budget had proved to be no different from previous ones presented by the BDP governments.

Mr Nkawana said while in opposition, the UDC had spoken in one voice alongside the Botswana Congress Party in calling for the scrapping of Specially Elected MPs and nominated councillors but this dispensation had continued under the UDC government.

He said one of the proposals made by the UDC while in opposition was for the A1 road to be a dual carriage way throughout, but the current budget made no mention of such a development. In order to reduce the congestion on national roads such as the A1, Mr Nkawana called for a revival of the passenger and goods train.

Another challenge he noted was that of dilapidated government houses across the country, calling for an inventory of state housing properties and the refurbishment and full utilisation of those in poor state.

Mr Nkawana said his constituents in Selebi Phikwe had hoped to hear of a new hospital being constructed or upgraded but the budget was silent of such development.

He further said Air Botswana had existed for decades but had not significantly improved its fleet and routes, with newer airlines in the region outcompeting the national airline.

He called for an investment in Air Botswana and it’s full utilisation to boost the country’s tourist potential and the prospects of being a transportation hub.

Mr Nkawana also asked the government to follow up on a previous proposal for the state to take over the BCL houses in Selebi Phikwe, and their handover to the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) for the sale to Batswana with preference made to former BCL employees. ENDS