Youth should draw lessons from Lesotho polls-UDC
Chakalisa Dube | Monday October 17, 2022 06:00
The newly formed Revolution for Prosperity, a party founded six months ago by a wealthy businessman Sam Matekane, won 56 out of 120 seats in Parliament. Although the party came short of securing a parliamentary majority, its performance was deemed inspiring because it is a new formation. Matekane’s movement mainly relied on the support of the youth, who it is believed are frustrated by the lack of job opportunities amongst others. “The recent dynamics in Lesotho highlight that this country needs a total change in terms of how we do things. It is the youth who can usher in a new dispensation and disrupt our conservative approach to development,” UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa said this week.
He pointed out that throughout the history of mankind, it is the youth who have often brought about radical changes. “The 2024 General Election presents an opportunity for the youth of this country to do what other youths in other parts of the world have done. They should be the drivers of change. The UDC remains available as the right vehicle. Those that say youth in this country can't bring about change are themselves fearful of change,” he said. According to him, the youth in Botswana just like in Lesotho are faced with many challenges such as very limited opportunities to better their lives. “One such avenue being employment opportunities post schooling. The government of the day has, notwithstanding the huge resources at our disposal, with such a small population, failed to create opportunities for our people.
This has led to the youths being unemployed and marginalised in the mainstream economy,” he said adding that lack of opportunities should motivate the youth in Botswana to be on the forefront of regime change efforts. Botswana Congress Party (BCP) spokesperson, Professor Mpho Pheko says the major lesson that can be learnt from the outcome of Lesotho elections is that change of government is possible, in 2024. The BCP is part of the UDC but its exit is imminent.
The party has said that given the toxicity in the coalition it will favour a working arrangement with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) at the 2024 General Election. “The BCP and AP are currently in negotiations and we are working around the clock to ensure that by end of 2022, we will give Batswana a political vehicle that is credible, democratic, disciplined to facilitate a credible and sustainable change of government in 2024,” said Pheko. She added that it is clear that a wind of democratic change is sweeping through the region and the BCP strongly believes that there will be a democratic change of power in 2024. “We have seen opposition parties doing well in countries such as Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi amongst others. Batswana need to acknowledge that the current challenges faced by Botswana are birthed by the BDP-led government.”
Pheko elucidated that Botswana is overdue for change of government, and the BCP will do all in its power to work with like-minded progressive forces to ensure change of government in 2024. The BCP spokesperson emphasised that Botswana cannot afford another five years of BDP-led (Botswana Democratic Party) government, which is ‘perceived as the most corrupt and repressive regime’. “We strongly believe that Batswana lived experiences characterised by high unemployment rates, the highest levels income inequalities, poor educational outcomes, inflation and global recession and high costs of living amongst others – should ready them for change of government. But this change of government must be led by individuals who have the nation’s best interest at heart," said Pheko.