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13 Feb 2023

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), there is evidence of upward trajectory indicating where Botswana is coming from and the direction it is heading.

Speaking during a BDP South-West Region rally in Moshupa on Sunday, he said examples abounded in all spheres of life.

Dr Masisi said his party strove for maximum output in areas or spheres of life that would add economic value to the lives of Batswana.

He said the BDP - led government was tolerant and accommodative to people of all races. 

“Botswana is increasingly becoming a haven and very friendly place for entrepreneurs across the globe that allows businesses to thrive,” he said adding that the state of affairs augured well for employment creation and skills transfer.

The President assured the nation that the BDP had sound and progressive programmes and initiatives to drive the national development agenda geared  at transforming the lives of Batswana.   

 Among the initiatives Dr Masisi mentioned  digitalisation through which free, fast and reliable Internet had been made available at schools, clinics and kgotla offices across the country.

He said digitalisation had the potential to increase productive capacities in cattle posts and ploughing fields.

President Masisi stressed the need to use Internet at production zones whereby a producer could price commodities online according to international standards and make payments the same way.

The move would help to enhance trade, financial inclusion and firm competitiveness, said the  President.

Dr Masisi also spoke of the need to industrialise arable farming to make it competitive.

He said ploughing fields would be clustered for ease of pulling resources together to boost food security.

The President disclosed that loans would be extended to arable farmers to buy tractors and other ploughing implements. 

He advised farmers to supplement natural grazing pastures by ploughing forage for their cattle.

President Masisi said in the coming financial year, Maunatlala, Semitwe, Kgwatlheng in Kanye, Zwenshambe, Mosetse, Kazungula, Modipane, Ghanzi, Mogorosi, Borolong of Francistown, Lentsweletau, Kopong, Takatokwane, Mabule, Mogojogojo, Mathangwane and Mokubilo clinics would be upgraded.

Kanye, Letlhakeng, Gumare, Tutume, Kasane, Palapye, Tsabong, Selebi Phikwe, Tonota, Lerala, Shoshong and Mogoditshane were  earmarked for hospitals with staff houses, he said. 

President Masisi said under the BDP, peace, harmony and tranquility prevailed in Botswana and the country helped others to navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.

Government was exemplary in conflict resolution and mediation to ensure that peace and tranquility prevailed in the SADC region and other African countries, he said.

He said BDP policies were for the benefit of all Batswana  adding that even opposition leaders had benefitted from the government education system.

The party, he said, boasted a track record of trustworthiness and had the most effective ways of serving national interests.

The President pledged that the BDP would continue to work hard to ensure developments and services reached people at all times. 

On other issues, President Masisi implored Batswana to desist from selling land to foreigners saying it was a valuable resource that needed to be preserved. 

He warned Batswana against acquiring land through speculating that government would buy it from them.  Ends