17 Jul 2018

Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader Mr Dumelang Saleshando has commended President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi for promising to effect changes aimed at building the nation.

Mr Saleshando who was speaking at the official opening of the party conference in Bobonong on Saturday said although not radical, the changes promised were beneficial to addressing matters of mutual interest.

He also welcomed President Masisi’s decision to revive the All Party Conference saying the conference should make proposals on issues that should be addressed.

He, however said despite the promises, a lot needs to be done by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in terms of creating jobs, eliminating poverty, fighting corruption and strengthening democratic values as well as the holistic review of the constitution.

The BCP leader described his party as an alternative government to promote job creation, freedom of speech and right to shelter.

Mr Saleshando said under the BCP journey of 20 years they  remain resolute that Botswana needs a political leadership that respected human rights, second-generation human rights, and rights to shelter and work.

He said this was the more reason why to this end, BCP  was also an advocacy party that called for children to be taught in their mother tongue at the elementary level.

He also expressed concern that Botswana was still exporting minerals to other countries noting that the same minerals which Batswana could have been benefiting from were creating employment opportunities in foreign countries.

He said state institutions such as health and education were in a deplorable state of affair under Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and said the ruling party had not done much for Batswana.

Of concern to the BCP, he said was that while Botswana’s democracy was regarded as one of the oldest in Africa, the country still used the constitution that was crafted by colonial masters 50 years ago. He said the constitution must be re-written to suit the needs of Batswana.

The BCP leader also expressed concern that the peace which his party was preaching was dominated by uncertainty and fear as evidenced by the fact that there was a reduced right to freedom of expression around the world.

Mr Saleshando stated the world had not attained maximum peace as there were still countries that continued to oppress their citizens, creating barriers to trade while others have started engaging in the slave trade.

He mentioned that in Africa some leaders were not considerate to their people’s needs as there were experiences of civil wars, poverty and hunger.

He raised concern that poor leadership in countries across the world had brought poverty saying over 200 million people who are able-bodied were jobless.

He paid a special tribute to the BCP class of 1998 being Dr Michael Dingake, the late Mr Peba Setshwantsho, Mr Otlaadisa Koosaletse, Ms Florence Shagwa, the late Mr Paul Rantao, Ms Motsei Rapelana and the late Mr Maitshwarelo Dabutha.

Former Botswana Alliance Movement leader Messers Motsamai Mpho and Mathomola Modise also received accolades.

For his part, the founding father and former Botswana Congress Party leader Dr Michael Dingake said the party was formed to develop the lives of Batswana.

Giving a word during the party 20th-anniversary celebration and his 90th birthday he said for over 60 years he had devoted his life to politics to fight for inequality.

Dr Dingake said he also joined the African National Congress in South Africa where he later went to prison for 15 years alongside other struggle icons in Robben Island not only fighting for South African but the entire African race.

He appealed to those that joined BCP to have conviction and fight for social justice and prepare for the next general elections.

BCP vice-president Dr Kesetegile Gobotswang said Dr Dingake was highly honoured in South Africa and commended the party for honouring him. ENDS