Real Alternative Party Or Real Joke
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday May 27, 2019 12:52
Despite the poor attendance, the promises RAP made reached over 200,000 people through our sister publication, Mmegi Facebook page.
Some of the promises made by RAP chairperson, Gaontebale Mokgosi that sent social media into a frenzy include pledges to raise the minimum wage to P6,500, the unemployment allowance of P3,250 and giving out P800 monthly for each child born.
The post on the Mmegi page attracted over 2,700 comments with most people laughing off the promises and dismissing their Utopian ideals as impossible.
The Gaborone Bonnington South parliamentary hopeful said RAP will introduce universal basic income and unemployment insurance. “We know Batswana will criticise this, but people who are unemployed will get an allowance of P3,250. It is happening in Canada and Finland. We will also have social grant of P800 for each child regardless of numbers. This will also encourage Batswana to bear more children,” he said. Mokgosi said they believe every unemployed person should earn P6,500.
“You were laughing when I mentioned the P3,250 allowance. You will not believe what I will say next because the BDP has taught you to be slaves for 53 years. We will update the labour standard to raise the minimum wage. RAP will raise the minimum wage to P6,500 and index to wage growth,” he said.
Mokgosi said they will also reform laws relating to prisons. “Right now those who have been to prison are not allowed to work for government. That is double sentencing and we believe they also deserve to work for government. We also want the severity of punishments to be reduced. Prison wastes people’s time hence in the future we want to shut down prisons. It is easier and cheaper to help someone than keep him or her in prison,” he said. Mokgosi said they will also push for gender equality calling for a 50/50 quota. He said they also want the society to understand and appreciate transgender people.
“We need you to understand that those people did not choose to be so. But please do not get us wrong, we are not talking about homosexuals. We have nothing to do with homosexuals. The law should allow for transgender people to change their identity cards,” he said. Mokgosi also promised that they would allocate land to every citizen reaching the age of 18. He said they will also end the dispossession of indigenous communities of land. The party will contest for elections in four constituencies.
Mokgosi challenges Alliance for Progressives leader, Ndaba Gaolathe and Umbrella for Democratic’s (UDC) Ketlhalefile Motshegwa. RAP secretary general, Onkemetse Clark- Lerubisi will battle it out with UDC leader Duma Boko and Annah Mokgethi of the Botswana Democratic Party. Nkwalili Nkosana will contest for parliamentary seat at Gabane Mankgodi while Kabelo Mokgalajwe will contest at Lentsweletau Mmopane.