25 Nov 2025

The newly elected Kgalagadi South Member of Parliament, Mr Tokyo Modise, says the recent Kgalagadi South by-election proved to many Botswana is a democratic nation.

Making his maiden contribution to Parliament during the State-of-the-Nation Address debate on Monday, Mr Modise thanked Batswana and said the process was open and transparent, characterisd by the spirit of mutual respect and political tolerance among the candidates.

He said candidates from the Botswana Congress Party, Botswana Democratic Party, Botswana Patriotic Front, and an independent candidate, accepted the outcome and acknowledged him as their representative.

Huge as Kgalagadi South constituency is, Mr Modise said the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) did not falter but delivered yet another successful by-election.

“Despite its size, Kgalagadi South constituency is faced with poverty,” Mr Modise said and expressed hope that government would develop the area, especially that there were roads planned for, in the National Development Plan 12 (NDP12).

He also talked about the high unemployment figures in the constituency as well as the need for an improved transport model for learners to and from school, since many lived far.

Currently, students are transported with donkey carts but Mr Modise said students needed dignified, secure, and safe transport.

The MP encouraged Batswana to take advantage of Lemang Dijo, a revised arable sector subsidy programme for small scale farmers.

He told Parliament that their efforts to contribute to plans to increase the national cattle herd might prove difficult owing to wild animals that killed their livestock.

Mahalapye West MP, who is also the Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere, expressed gratitude for projects earmarked for the area under the NDP 12, though aware that government coffers were strained.

He said Mahalapye had been overlooked for a long time.

There will be a new mall carried out through the private-public partnership initiative in Mahalapye, which will also include a bus rank, Mr Tshere said.

He dismissed those who said the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) was unrealistic and unattainable saying, it would deliver as expected.

Ghanzi MP and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae, said that the SONA was comprehensive, coherent and digitally inclusive, the first for Botswana.

He described the BTEP as the most objective and realistic approach to develop the country after many years of BDP misrule.

Mr Salakae said that it was not surprising the national budget for 2026/27 was huge because the UDC led government had a task to repair the economy as well as infrastructure, such as roads, which were in a state of paralysis and not climate resilient.

He appreciated the government for resuscitating school sports and also for including construction of the Ghanzi stadium project in the NDP 12. Mr Salakae challenged opposition parties to provide alternative ideas to government’s suggestions on how to develop the country. ENDS