Khama brands critics lost souls
Staff Writer | Monday April 7, 2014 11:27
“For as long as I am in office, I will continue to do it this way, because that is the meaning of democracy. We will be a government elected by the people, to work for the people, because we too are a government of the people,” he said.
In his acceptance speech immediately after he was overwhelmingly endorsed as the president of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Khama gave raving reviews of his often criticised pet programmes and emphasised that he was unapologetic about the initiatives. “I will not apologise for Ipelegeng... a programme that gives temporary relief for people to engage in work programmes for the benefit of their communities, while earning an allowance to feed themselves and their families and in so doing also support local economies, that is the Ipelegeng programme that targets 60,000 people a month,” he said.
“I do not apologise for the ISPAAD programme that saw in the first year our cereal production triple and like this year after the good rains has seen significant agricultural activity across the whole country so far by 70,000 farmers.
I will not apologise for the Youth Empowerment Scheme that sees the youth as a key priority for us to develop where we have put in place and continue to put in place programmes for their advancement into opportunities. So far, about 315,000 youths have benefited from this scheme. I will not apologise for taking the decision for the poverty eradication programme, or for providing houses for destitutes, or Affirmative Action for Remote Dwellers and disabled people, or giving blankets to the elderly and destitute, or putting 30,000 learners back in school for a second chance at an education,” he said. He stated that he will not apologise for the internship programme, LIMID, standard electricity and water costs, promotion of arts and culture, anti-crime initiatives and other programmes.
“These decisions I have been making with advice and discussions with cabinet are based on my and the Vice President and ministers interactions with Batswana through Kgotla meetings and walk- abouts where they tell me and them how they want their lives improved. Such decisions are based on such consultation and nothing else,” he explained. He promised to deliver and develop the country so that citizens can live in dignity.