Segokgo vows to retain Tlokweng
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday January 20, 2017 15:01
The post became vacant after the death of area MP Same Bathobakae who died after a suspected heart attack last year.
“The UDC is doing everything in its power to retain the area and the Botswana Congre Party (BCP) is also helping us. We have started rallies in Tlokweng and house to house will begin this weekend. The strategies will evolve as the campaign reaches its peak,” Segokgo said in an interview at the BNF office Wednesday.
He said what helped them to start early campaign was the fact that the BNF members agreed on a consensus candidate. The UDC candidate said they have already started putting the campaigning materials for people to be able to read and understand the message.
Segokgo said it is not a given that his party would win the by-election even if they had won with a big margin in 2014 and that is why they have intensified campaigns.
Although Segokgo joined politics recently, in 2014, he said he understand politics as he was able to help during the campaign of the late MP and served as branch chairman for the constituency till to date.
Segokgo said he was inspired by his father Phaladi Kefeletswe Segokgo, a BNF councillor for two terms in Tlokweng, to join politics.
He said the love of his people and challenges they face as Batlokwa had made him to have that desire to contest for elections.
He continued; “ I believe I can advocate for Batlokwa well when I am in Parliament. The main issue of our people is lack of residential plots that take years for Batlokwa to be allocated. That’s very frustrating and also lack of grazing area. Our cattle end up going to Gaborone. If voted into Parliament I will ask the Ministry responsible to make a fence which used to be there to block cattle from coming into Gaborone”.
The other issue that Segokgo will fight to have it addressed is the border line fence, which is lying down.
He said their cattle crosses into South Africa and it is difficult to retrieve them from the neighbouring country.
The UDC candidate is concerned about high unemployment rate in his area. On issues of education, which he specialises on, Segokgo said there is need to change curriculum because it caters for white-collar job. He said lots could be done so that the graduates become marketable.
Segokgo also called on the government to consider negotiating with unions fairly during salary increment talks at bargaining council.
“It is important that government and unions have good relationship for the betterment of this country. The sour relationship could contribute negatively to the economy of this country. Its very frustrating for some workers salary to have been increased with three percent,” he said. Segokgo said he would move a motion requesting that March 8 be made a public holiday in order to acknowledge the contribution made by women in this country and that will encourage women to lead where possible.
Segokgo is a graduate of Bachelor of Science, went to Tirelo Sechaba at Xhauxhau, and taught at Mater Spei College for eight years where he was teaching biology. One of his achievements, he says, was that his students did well in his subject. He was also a coach for martial arts, which won several trophies.
He also started youth blood pledge 25 donations that aim at donating blood.
“Group of youth were volunteering to give blood at least 25 times of their life which made me to join blood transfusion under the Ministry of Health. It contributed positively to collection of blood.” Segokgo is also a businessman.