26 Jun 2018

The Independent Electoral Commission office in Molepolole recently held cluster competitions for Democracy Youth Clubs in junior schools as part of initiatives geared at encouraging Batswana to vote.

The competition was attended by participants from six junior schools in the three constituencies being Molepolole North, Molepolole South, and Lentsweletau/Mmopane.

IEC Molepolole chief election officer Ms Patricia Mmoloke revealed that the competitions gave the clubs an opportunity to highlight the importance of voting in a creative way.

She noted that since Botswana’s democracy thrived on the active participation of all eligible citizens, the youth must not be left behind.

She said the competition was the first of its kind, an initiative of junior school patrons together with IEC Molepolole staff.

Ms Mokele said the idea to hold such competitions was conceived back in 2017, adding that democracy youth club competitions allowed young people to show how language and other expressions could be used to encourage Batswana to register and vote in large numbers.

She explained that where there was voter apathy, upholding of democratic values was also weakened and Botswana cannot afford a democracy that is a shadow of her former self.

For his part democracy youth club patron, Mr Kabelo Lecha from Moruakgomo Junior Secondary School said students were judged in public speaking skills and informative speech where they had to present about the importance of voter registration.

He said the focus was also on whether the presenters were able to deliver their content fluently without reading their notes.

He also said presenters were judged on whether they were able to win the audience to agree with them or not.

Meanwhile, Katlego Letswapong, a Form Three student from Masilo JSS won first prize and walked home with P400 in recognition of her skill in public speaking and persuasive speech.

Karabo Keitumetse of Moruakgomo JSS took position two and got P200.

Still on prizes, Moruakgomo duo Hellen Kebitsemang and Edward Ditshotlo emerged winners of charts presentation on the voter registration topic.

The duo showed their creative skills by coming up with a chart that would be easily understood by all voters irrespective of their educational background. ENDS