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23 Apr 2023

Opposition unity has no place in Botswana politics as demonstrated by its poor showing during the 2014 and 2019 general elections, says Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairperson, Mr Slumber Tsogwane.

Mr Tsogwane said this at a political rally in Nlapkhwane on Saturday where BDP, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) are in a three-horse-race for the Mapoka/Nlapkhwane/Kgari council ward bye election slated for April 29.

The opposition project, he said had been characterised by fragmentations, undemocratic tendencies and bickering which he said did not bode well for the well-being of any nation-state.

The bye-election follows death of Mr Farai Bonyongo who was also at the helm of the North East District council.

Bonyongo won the ward in 2019 with 692 votes. UDC, an independent candidate and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) hopefuls had garnered 356, 321 and 176 votes respectively.

According to Mr Tsogwane, the BDP remained the only credible party to resolve the plight of Batswana as had been the case since independence in 1966.

“We still have unfinished business with the people of Mapoka, Nlapkhwane and Kgari and that is why we have come to solicit your vote. In 2019, you voted well by choosing Mr Farai Bonyongo who as we all know passed on this year,” he said. He stated that the BDP candidate, Mr Thomas Chabalala, stood head and shoulders above candidates from the opposition and that voting for him would ensure he took off where Mr Bonyongo left off in terms of pushing for developments in the area.

Also, Mr Tsogwane commended those who lost to Mr Chabalala during primary elections for not sulking, but making sure that they rallied behind him.

He said the BDP-led government would continue to come up with robust programmes to further improve the socio-economy of Batswana, including creation of employment.

Campaign manager, Mr Paulos Nkoni, made a clarion call to the democrats to rally behind Mr Chabalala and make sure that he convincingly win the bye-election.

North East District Council chairperson, Mr Tobokwane Kodzani, echoed Mr Tsogwane’s words saying Mr Chabalala remained the only credible candidate with all the markings of a great leader when compared with the two candidates from the opposition.

The onus, he said remained with democrats to make sure they go to the pools in their droves and vote for Mr Chabalala and the BDP.

To Mr Dikitso Mandevu, Mr Chabalala’s wealth of experience as a business person and insightful sport administrator, made him an ideal candidate to advance the interest of the electorates, especially the young people with vested interest in sport and business.

Dr Ditiro Majadibodu reminded all and sundry of the BDP led-government exploits from the county’s humble beginnings and said the party still had what it took to pull out people from abject poverty.

The Saturday bye-election will pit Mr Chabalala of BDP, Mr Thamamisi Ndaba of BCP and UDC’s Mr Nabulani Lenyatso, against each other. Ends