08 Sep 2019

The leader of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), Mr Biggie Butale says if voted into power, his party will review the constitution to bring about the direct election of the president outside cabinet and parliament.

Giving a summary of the party’s manifesto and launch in Francistown on September 7, Mr Butale said the current constitution excluded Batswana in voting directly for the president.

Mr Butale also said if elected into power, his party would reform the civil service as well as to introduce a President’s Advisory Council for the youth, women, people living with disabilities, and the general workforce that would meet quarterly.

He also stated that BPF would  work with other political organisations and civil societies to deliver a new Botswana saying the promotion of good governance coupled with the respect for human rights was also high on its agenda.

The BPF president, said his party would prioritise the fight against corruption  without discrimination.

Mr Butale further stated that the party would also review legislation that created certain state agencies such as the Directorate of Security Services (DIS), Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) and Botswana Revenue Services (BURS) and make them report directly to Parliament.

On the economy and Infrastructure, Development and job creation, Mr Butale stated that BPF would manage resources prudently for the full benefit of its people to ensure their full participation in the strategic diversification and beneficiation of all mineral and natural resources.

He said where economically feasible, BPF would construct rail transport to make mining economical adding that the party would also construct small dams and solar powered borehole to provide clean, potable water for rural communities across Botswana.

The BPF, Mr Butale also stated would upgrade the A1 into a full dual carriageway from Lobatse To Ramakgwebana at the same time creating temporary and full-time jobs through new highway economy.

Concerning home ownership, Mr Butale said  BPF would provide fast track housing development for destitute, youth and public officers with citizen owned construction companies.

The former MP for Tati West, said his party would build  housing units for the youth earning less than P10 000 per month across the country and further and transform the current Youth Development Fund (YDF).

The leader also said the party would create significant employment through small scale/light manufacturing industries, solar power generation, sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure development, as well as modernizing the agricultural tourism.  

He also said BPF  was a  party that cared for  the elderly and explained that the party would  increase the old age pension allowance and further reduce old age pension for elders from 65 to 60 years.

Under agriculture, he said BPF would promote self-sufficiency in production of basic food commodities and modernise and commercialise the sector to ensure full production and efficient use of agricultural land in Botswana.

Regarding the health sector,he said BPF would prioritise preventive health care, increase the number of doctors, nurses, various specialists and physicians to ensure no one has to wait too long to see a doctor or to undergo necessary surgery.

Mr Butale further stated that his party  would ensure that there was the establishment of specialists hospitals and rehabilitation facilities in the north and south to promote medical tourism to Botswana and also to curb international referrals. ENDS