29 Aug 2023

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members have been reminded that they have a responsibility to recruit new members into the party fold.

Such a responsibility, according to the party Chairman and Member of Parliament for Boteti West, Mr Slumber Tsogwane was not the preserve for members vying for political office only.

He appealed to the BDP Francistown region special congress held at Adansonia Hotel in on Saturday.

Francistown region has five constituencies namely; Francistown East, Francistown West, Francistown South, Tati East and Tonota.

“You are advisors and leaders for this party and are duty bound to take it upon yourself to stand for the party and sell its manisfesto   to the electorates.

Moreover, Mr Tsogwane stated it was important that those entrusted with leadership positions should trust each other, openly tell each other the truth and accept they have different strengths and weaknesses. No one has the monopoly of wisdom, he said.

Democrats, he said should familiarise themselves with the party’s guiding documents such as the constitution and the manifesto to be in a better stead to sell the party to the masses.

“Those vying for elections should be at the top of their game and be in a position to explain succinctly what the party stands for in terms of its pledges, its development trajectory and priorities,” he said.

It is Mr Tsogwane’s wish that the democrats should have the determination and fire in the belly to take the nation forward like President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

It is to this end the party has resolved that recruits should wait for two full years before they can contend for any position within the party.

The BDP chairman stated that the resolutions that would emanate from the regional meeting would be key going forward.

Member of the BDP Central Committee (MCC), Mr Machana Shamukuni said in his briefing that members were determined to work hard to ensure they win the 2024 general elections with bigger margins.

“The 2024 general elections will not be business as usual. We will have to put up a fervent campaign and pull out all the stops on our way to victory,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Tonota, Mr Pono Moatlhodi challenged the democrats to know each other strengths and make sure they fielded strong people come elections.

He shared Mr Tsogwane’s sentiments that the people who have sufficient knowledge of the party usually make good representatives.

He relayed that he was not happy with the current recruitment drive to lure people into the party's fold by BDP members.

Member of Parliament for Francistown East and Assistant Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Buti Billy called on the youth to take advantage of the Youth Development Fund which would be transferred to the Ministry of Entrepreneurship in the next financial year.

The programme focuses on sectors such as agriculture and its value chains, agro-tourism, and ICT to scale down the country’s import bill and increase the export bill; something he stated was in line with the BDP manifesto that pledged to create employment, ensure food security and better the lives of Batswana.

Francistown region Chairman who is also at the helm of Tonota district council, Mr Baemedi Medupe agreed that the meeting created a perfect platform to come up with resolutions to present at the forthcoming BDP congress slated for Palapye.

General membership, he said also needed to change  mindset and ensure they were hands-on in all the activities of the party.ENDS