16 Sep 2024

Four prospective candidates contesting for the Tswapong North parliamentary seat on Saturday locked horns in Lerala during Radio Botswana political debates to sway votes.

The four are Mr Gothusang Phuthego of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Mr Carter Morupisi representing the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and Mr Prince Maele of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

The four deliberated on a wide range of issues such as poor roads, construction of a hospital at Lerala, poverty, renovation of Moeng College buildings, natural resources, land acquired by the government in Kgagodi and agriculture.

Mr Phuthego from BCP emphasised that his party aimed to uplift Batswana from their current struggles.

He promised to tackle critical matters, including the declining quality of education, inadequate health services, and rising unemployment.

Mr Phuthego highlighted the urgent need for improvements in schools, particularly in the Tswapong North constituency.

He noted that many school buildings are in disrepair and lack essential equipment such as chairs and tables. “If elected, I will ensure that these issues are prioritized,” he stated.

Another concern raised by Mr Phuthego was the chronic shortage of medications in local health facilities. He pointed out that Tswapong North residents were promised a new hospital that has yet to be constructed.

He pledged to urge the government to fulfill these long-standing commitments if entrusted with leadership.

On the other side of the political spectrum, the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) Mr Modukanele appealed to voters to re-elect him, citing the progress made during his tenure. “I have a deep love for Tswapong North and wish to continue serving under the BDP government,” he said.

Mr Modukanele outlined various challenges, including health issues, rising livestock crime, unemployment, and poverty, asserting that significant developmental strides had been made since he took office in 2019.

He pointed to successful initiatives, such as the installation of streetlights in Lerala village and renovations at Moeng College.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Patriotic Front’s (BPF) Mr Morupisi criticised the ruling party’s governance, pledging to reverse the country’s fortunes if elected.

He proposed reopening the Limpopo River, advocating for its utilisation in tourism, agriculture, irrigation, and fishing—a move he believed could reinvigorate the local economy.

Mr Morupisi also expressed concern over the declining performance of Moeng College, once renowned for its excellence, and highlighted the unmet promises of new council offices and a hospital for the constituency.

Mr Maele from the UDC urged constituents to avoid repeating past mistakes by electing an unwilling representative.

He emphasised the urgency of addressing poverty, declining education quality, and deteriorating health services in Tswapong North.

“We need an MP who genuinely cares for our community and will work towards our development,” he said, asserting that the UDC had comprehensive programmes to tackle these challenges head-on. Ends