23 Feb 2025

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government has been advised to be truthful, focus on what it promised and desist from blaming BDP as the root cause of all their challenges.

Reflecting on the budget, Moshupa/Manyana MP, Mr Karabo Gare said as opposition they analyse the budget, give feedback to electorate on how it will benefit them looking at what the ruling party promised in the manifesto inline with vision 2036 pillars and the challenges at hand among others.

He said in many cases political differences derail legislators from focusing on the details of the budget and they waste time attacking one another. 

He said BDP had accepted they lost power and moved on.

Despite falling short of what it had expected to achieve in numbers of MPs, Mr Gare said the BDP had in its campaign presented to the electorate a solid campaign with a vision focused on the future of the country.

He said the ruling party must focus, because the hopes and aspirations of the nation was on what could be achieved through the budget.

Mr Gare said it was unfortunate that UDC legislators derail debate analysing what UDC promised in their manifesto, instead focused their energy on the alleged wrong purported to have been done by BDP, which they said included depleting government coffers and some corrupt financial practices.

He said the nation was no longer interested on the BDP, but rather on what the new UDC government and what it promised. 

Mr Gare said it was not wrong for UDC to detail challenges it faced, but what was of primary importance at hand was whether the government was confident enough to deliver on its promises.

“Our hope is for the government to achieve its mandate, I would like to remind you that time is not on your side. You are left with 53 months, 4 budget sessions before Parliament is dissolved for the next election,” he said.

Mr Gare said it was important to be truthful, “hence not wrong for UDC to tell the national that looking at the purported challenging environment, government will not achieve what it promised.”

Though accused with all the wrong by UDC, Mr Gare said truth be told, BDP had over the years laid a solid foundation for the success of the nation. 

However, he said it would be amiss not to admit BDP’s short comings. 

He said despite challenges they encountered, BDP did it all to serve in the best interests of the nation.

Mr Gare said the budget speech failed to appreciate the foundation laid by the BDP government. ENDS