21 Aug 2024

Five aspiring candidates for Serowe West constituency reached out to voters during the Radio Botswana debates in Serowe recently ahead of this year’s general elections.

They include Mr Onalepelo Kedikilwe of Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), Mr Sebusiso Ngwenya of Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Mr Mmoloki Pule of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Mr Chimbidzani Chimidza of Botswana Republican Party (BRP) and  Mr Foster Seretse of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). 

Mr Kedikilwe of Botswana Patriotic Front, who is also the incumbent MP for the area, said change was fundamental in order to have a better Botswana. 

He said the BPF was the only alternative party ready to lead Batswana.  He said the contrast in the standard of living was a concern adding that many Batswana were not  leading dignified lives or even afford basic needs.  He also talked about schools saying they were dilapidated, and needed to be maintained so that learners could learn under a conducive environment.  

Mr Kedikilwe, therefore, urged Serowe West residents to remain dedicated and consider him as the only suitable and competent individual who could represent their wishes in Parliament 

“We need to be observant of promises made by some politicians which were never fulfilled,” he said. 

Botswana Congress Party prospective candidate, Mr Ngwenya said the BCP promised to address issues of unemployment if given a chance to lead. 

He told the audience that his party would create about 300 000 job opportunities within five years. 

He said the BCP government would ensure that the mining sector does not export raw materials, the move he said would create more jobs in Batswana. 

He argued that given that most households were single female-headed with no proper income,  his party would establish a  P300 grant for children to cushion such families. 

He said visionary leadership was paramount in taking the country to greater heights. 

He urged the electorate to reject corruption at all costs as it deprived Batswana the right to benefit from the country’s wealth and resources. 

Mr Pule of the Umbrella for Democratic Change said  his party was prepared to lead and ‘we are serious about creating 100 000 jobs in 12 months’. 

Mr Pule said the UDC would open up job opportunities by through construction sites as the country expands infrastructure. 

The Botswana Republican Party (BRP) prospective candidate, Mr Chimidza said Serowe was behind in developments, stating that roads and bridges have collapsed. He said crime in the country had spiralled  due to unemployment. 

Mr Chimidza  indicated that the education system needed to revamped and noted that his party was the right one to lead that change. 

He said his party would ensure that all clinics and health posts had maternity wings to bring services closer to people. 

He also said sports facilities in the district should also be upgraded to a better standard to create a conducive environment for talent to thrive.

The Botswana Democratic Party aspiring candidate, Mr Seretse, said the BDP was a strong party that had been tried, tested and made Botswana what it was today. 

Mr Seretse said since its formation, the BDP had positively impressed Batswana in many ways as it had their interest at heart. 

He said the BDP was the only organised party with a clear mandate, good reputation and a good track record.

Mr Seretse said the BDP was determined to tighten its grip so that they party would continue to deliver on promises, and advance its projected developments.

He said various programmes have been launched to assist Batswana and urged the electorate to tap on them to change their livelihoods. 

He also said he was determined to advance upgrading of f health posts for better service delivery. 

He promised to voice out concerns about the shortage of water and non-availability of electricity at the Marulamantsi ward.  Ends