07 Apr 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has lauded Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members for trusting him to lead the party to the general elections and beyond.

He was addressing democrats following his election as party president in Kang on April 5.

Dr Masisi accepted the responsibility to lead the party and consequently pledged his diligence.

“I am ready and committed to serving all democrats and the nation at large unreservedly,” he said.

He expressed hope that BDP would hold firm on its founding principles of democracy, development, self-reliance unity and Botho.

Dr Masisi also advised the democrats to uphold the party’s traditions, values and principles that defined the country as a shining example of democracy in Africa.

He congratulated Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi for launching a spirited campaign for the party presidency.

He challenged BDP members to learn a lesson from the storms that prevailed ahead of the special congress, urging them to remain loyal to the party and work together in the general elections.

On other issues, Dr Masisi said the National Council gave the party an opportunity to introspect not only on the party, but government policies and programmes.

“The council also provides an appropriate platform to reaffirm collective commitment to the responsibilities of leading the people as well as improving their lives,” he said.

He urged democrats to ensure that the campaign engaged Batswana and reconnected them to the nations’ tried and tested political processes and sell to them the utility of an inclusive socio-economic approach that would work for all.

“The new approaches will speak of sustainable jobs, good governance and economic growth as well as to secure a future for Batswana,” he said.

Moreover, he said the party stood for a nation that shared values and purposes as well as recognising and appreciating challenges of employment and stagnation at the upper level of the middle-income status of the economy.

He said BDP offered to move up the high-income status as espoused by the country’s Vision 2036 to deliver to Batswana a future that provided jobs, safety, security, adherence to the rule of law and shared wealth.

He, therefore, encouraged all to apply themselves fully in whatever skill they were pursuing, saying the human resource was key to achieving national prosperity.

Moreover, he pledged to effectively address inefficiencies in the provision of public services such as education, health, water, electricity, and infrastructure.

To achieve that, he said the presence of the necessary political, macro-economic and social environments for business to thrive and individuals to prosper would be ensured.

BDP chairperson, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, lauded the democrats for a peaceful special congress and national council.

In view of the differences they encountered ahead of the special congress, he said it was important for the democrats to uphold the party’s principles.

Mr Tsogwane also called on the party members to work collectively and even double their efforts to support each other towards the 2019 general elections in order to beat the opposition with a larger margin from 47 per cent to at least 60 per cent or more.

In her welcome remarks, Kgosi Basadi Seipone of Kang encouraged all to respect leaders for them to make informed decisions on betterment of people’s lives.

Kgosi Seipone also applauded Dr Masisi for his visionary leadership, love, respect and the spirit of consultation. ENDS