BCP’s fat manifesto chapter
Larona Makhaiza | Monday February 26, 2024 06:00
With an atmosphere charged with great anticipation, Saleshando addressed a legion of BCP supporters who were eager to hear what their president had in store for them. In his delivery of the party’s promises ahead of the elections, Saleshando stated that the BCP’s mandate would be to foster inclusive growth for every Motswana, promoting social justice and ensuring good governance across Botswana.
He emphasised the importance of addressing pressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality through innovative policies and initiatives. “Our manifesto for the 2024 elections is situated around ‘An economy that works for us all’. We want to see each and every Motswana able to sustain their lives as our primary key in our manifesto will be the creation of jobs. We want to reclaim the exported jobs as this country exports jobs in high numbers and take them to Batswana,” said Saleshando. Saleshando stated that provided he becomes the next President of Botswana after the election, he will create over 100, 000s of jobs.
“If we are afforded with the opportunity to lead this country, I am saying to you that by the year 2029, we will create 300, 000 new jobs,” he boldly said. He elaborated that by 2029 too, the BCP’s target would be to see that each and every household in Botswana has a breadwinner who has a job. Saleshando further highlighted that through the manifesto, their goal is to see the blue, black and white nation become a high income wage country. “We are also saying that we want a statutory living wage of P4, 000 per month by the year 2029. This increase can in many ways address issues like productivity, creating more jobs and to get better wage is to increase the demand of the job,” outlined Saleshando. He added that BCP’s governance would also see there is development of value chain for Botswana and refrain from exporting raw materials.
“We should be able to process our own raw materials that we mine. We have had diamonds for decades, but we still export them, and this is not good because we are the number one producer of diamonds in terms of value. So, let the investors come to us and let there be fair competition and protection of small players in the economy,” he said.
The BCP president also stated that in their manifesto chapter, their target is for this country to have high internet connectivity. “We want to roll out high internet connectivity and this is something that is always talked about locally and it was launched in Maun but to date it is not even working. This is something we want to change and by 2029 each household should be having internet in their homes,” BCP president said. Saleshando also lauded the current regime for imposing a ban on the importation of vegetables but revealed the ball has been dropped as the producers are being exploited.
“Batswana talked about how the ban helped them, but they have concerns that their vegetables are bought at a cheaper price and sold at a higher price in retail shops and this is something we want to change in Botswana. We want the agriculture industry that caters for us all as it plays a crucial role in our economy,” he said.
Furthermore, the BCP stated that an unemployment grant of P600 per month would be introduced while the old age pension would be increased to P1 500 per month. Some of the points of the 2024’s BCP manifesto include, a means tested child support grant of P300 per month, health checks for all every two years, reach 50% of land allocation by 2029, direct election of the president, a green economy harnessing the economic potential of Botswana solar energy resources and a 26 day work month for teachers. He expressed confidence in the BCP’s ability to lead Botswana into a prosperous future, dedication to the welfare of all citizens. The launch of BCP’s manifesto marks the beginning of an intense election campaign as the political party vie for support from the electorate ahead of the polling day.