17 Jul 2022

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government will remain true to its promise and lead by example in the fight against corrupt practices that rob Batswana of the resources required for development and job creation.

“We cannot allow corrupt practices to write off the true story and profile of Botswana that we have worked so hard to build and preserve under the leadership of the  BDP since its country’s formative years,” President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said in his keynote address at the BDP National  Council in Gaborone yesterday.

The President reiterated that he was keen to lead the fight against all acts of corruption.

On other issues, President Masisi said regional cooperation remained the cornerstone of Botswana’s foreign policy, underpinned by development, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Consequently, he said Botswana had since 2019 made notable achievements in international relations and cooperation.

“In that regard, the country has continued to cooperate with its neighbours, through various bilateral mechanisms as well as the membership to the  Southern  African Development  Community,” he said.

He said efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) were bearing fruits as evidenced by the groundbreaking ceremony that heralded Botswana’s partnership with a Californian-based company  Nantworks to produce a COVID-19  vaccine.

President Masisi said the recently signed partnership between the Botswana Institute of Technology Research and Canada’s Process Research would see the country producing high-quality electric vehicles and large energy storage vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Vice President and BDP chairperson Mr Slumber Tsogwane urged members to strive to build a cohesive and united party.

He said the BDP had laid a  strong foundation of national unity, democracy and transparency. Therefore, he urged all the BDP members to stand by one another at all times.

Mr Tsogwane said the BDP members should desist from hurling personal attacks on each other, but instead focus on building a united Botswana.

“We have every reason to celebrate the past 60 years of our existence as a party and collectively forge a future spearheaded by visionary leadership, which has the interests of our people and the country at heart,” he said. ends