15 Sep 2024

Starkly contrasting party The quartet of Bobirwa prospective parliamentary candidates have outlined their vision for the constituency, zeroing-in critical issues affecting the electorate with a view to win hearts and sway the undecided voter  before the October 30 polls.

Each brought their own script to the Radio Botswana debates,  buoyed by party ideals that were cascaded to the voters  with the hope of ticking most if not all boxes a voter regards critical in deciding who to cast their ballot for.

The recent-past Member of Parliament for the constituency and Botswana Congress Party prospective candidate Mr Taolo Lucas said he advocated for the less privileged members of the society, the unemployed and underemployed, informal sector as well as the people with disabilities.

Canvassing for a return to Parliament , Mr Lucas said if elected he would further amplify calls for amongst others a minimum of P4000 living wage, inclusive economy and rapid creation of employment where 300 000 jobs could be created as per his party manifesto.

He said BCP was troubled by staggering figures of unemployment and underemployment, saying 270 000 people were unemployed while about 110 000 had given up on job seeking mission. Of the unemployed, Mr Lucas said, 47 000 were degree holders.

“This is a troubling scenario that has caused me and my party to react towards stopping this pinching unemployment situation. I am also troubled by the underemployed and the working poor like petrol attendants and shop assistants,” Mr Lucas said and added that in addition he was concerned by Ipelegeng workers who earn P600.

He said after being engaged for a month, the people would then wait for two months before they could be roped in again.

“This basically means they’re spending P200 per month. This is an exploitative situation which I and the BCP hold in utter disdain,” he said.

On other issues, Mr Lucas said public health system was not friendly to people without medical aid. 

Some patients with critical conditions, he alleged, could be booked to see a doctor in two years’ time while their conditions deteriorated.

He also said his constituents needed to be allocated plots so that they could start their lives away from their parental homes, adding that about 23 000 people in Bobirwa were awaiting allocation of residential plots.

Mr Francisco Kgoboko of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP said if elected his term would be marked by infrastructure development.

Mr Kgoboko said his task would be to create jobs for especially women and youth. He also promised to fight poverty in the constituency.

He said there were not many companies to create employment in Bobirwa and hence many people found themselves queuing for Ipelegeng, which he said needed to be enhanced.

Since Bobirwa is endowed with underground water and many rivers and tributaries, Mr Kgoboko said time was ripe to put the water into, amongst other commercial irrigation farming where employment would be created.

Mr Kgoboko further said that when fully functional and commercial, the four border posts of Zanzibar, Platjan, Pont Drift and Mabolwe, would provide routes to neighbouring countries and would therefore help grow local economy. 

He said Bobirwa would then be in a good stead to compete with the likes of Kanzungula bordergate.

The BDPprospective  candidate said he would facilitate construction of a bus rank, with taxi rank and a mall at a total cost of P80 million.

Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF)’s Bishop Boitshephelo Jakoba said his candidacy was anchored on taking the voice of the faith-based organisations to Parliament whilst simultaneously supporting other opposition parties to effect change.

Bishop Jakoba said there was a need for joint efforts to address issues faced by the constituency, chiefly poverty that he said affected women and youth.

The BPF prospective candidate said while providing a voice for the faith-based organisation, he would also ensure that processes were conducted in candid and kind approach.

“My party put my name forward with full knowledge and trust that when I lead, things easily take shape and form,” said the hopeful.

Mr Jakoba said Bobirwa needed a hospital ‘the size of Nyangabwe Referral Hospital’ since it would be catering for many villages.

He also said he would advocate for the construction of a bridge across Shashe River to aid movement to and fro Zimbabwe with ease.

He further said that Babirwa needed to be allowed access to Limpopo River which he said hitherto has been a preserve of the white farm owners only.

“To travel between and through these farms one is required a permit lest they face the wrath of the freehold land owners,” he said.

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) prospective candidate Dr Tshepang Makwati called on the voters to vote for him as the energetic with zeal and willpower to represent the constituency.

“My character is beyond reproach as I’m incorruptible,” he said and presented the UDC as the only vehicle capable of ushering change into the people’s lives.

Dr Makwati said upon attaining power, UDC would repeal the current Constitution and replace it with one that would speak to and represent the will of the people.

The current one, he said, was an unconstitutional constitution.

In the UDC-led constitution there would be socio-economic rights, the right to health, the right to decent work amongst other things, he said.

“How can you live a dignified life while earning P1200? Can you make a budget for us?” he quizzed the BDP prospective candidate and said the BDP allowed Batswana to be exploited by companies.

Like his fellow opposition candidates, Dr Makwati said unemployment was high in Bobirwa. Ends