Salakae to contest for party treasurer
Leinanyana Tsiane | Thursday June 16, 2016 16:10
Salakae told Mmegi that he will contest for the post when the BNF holds its national congress over the President’s Day Holidays next month.
He will wrestle for the position with the incumbent treasurer, Aubrey Lesaso.
“I don’t have anything against Lesaso. I am just contesting for this position because I have identified the party’s immediate needs, which I intend to tackle,” Salakae said. He also said he has discovered that party members need to be motivated in order to cajole them into making monetary contributions towards the party coffers.
He added that the P800 and P300 monthly contributions by MPs and councillors respectively, were not enough to sustain the party. Salakae noted that it is important to have constant meetings with people in all constituency structures to show them the importance of making contributions to the party. He added that they also need to appreciate the importance of the party and that mobilisation of people should be a priority. He said that people should tackle issues when they happen, rather than wait for the party to hold congresses and report at these forums.
“One can only do that by touching base with people. Visit their constituencies regularly, which is what I intend to do if voted,” he added.
He however, could not run away from the fact that lately people have been experiencing financial constraints, but said they just need to be motivated positively. He said his intention is to also make people contribute a certain percentage if they sell the party regalia, to ensure that the party benefits too.
Salalake said he will promptly seek more sponsors from all over the world and explained that he works hand-in-hand with the party sponsors to keep them abreast on the party’s financial status. He also said he will protect the sponsors and not reveal who they are in any given time to protect them. However, Salakae declined to comment on the status of the BNF financial status saying he will do so when the time is right. “I can’t comment now and will have to wait for the right moment. I don’t want to reveal the party’s finances,” he said. This will be the first time for Salakae to contest for the National Executive position and said he has already informed his constituents about his intention. He, however, does not want to put pressure on them to vote for him.