BMD is cheated � Khama
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday February 14, 2017 16:16
Officially opening the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) National Youth League Congress in Tsabong on Friday, Khama said the coalition is bound to collapse. “They can bring all the parties together but they will fail.
“It is only in Botswana that the party with more MPs is not given presidency. The Botswana Movement for Democracy is being cheated in this. How do you not give them presidency and relegate Ndaba Gaolathe to be in the same level as the newcomers Botswana Congress Party,” he said.
Khama told members of his party that allowing petty issues to divide BDP members is the only thing that can give away the BDP rule. He challenged the new NYEC to take lead in securing the party’s victory in 2019.
“I want to meet with the new committee as soon as next week. I want you to present us with your plans and ideas for 2017. I also want the committee to solicit ideas on how we can empower young people,” he said.
Khama urged the young democrats to vote for hard working individuals and not those who just want power. He said the incoming NYEC is very critical, as they have to work towards retaining the party’s rule in 2019. The first citizen also condemned acts by University of Botswana (UB) students.
“They are ill mannered, what they did is unpatriotic. If they have concerns they can always talk to us and not destroy property,” he said.
Khama also praised his Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi for doing well in recruiting new members.
“Some accuse him of promoting factionalism using new recruits, that is not true. I appreciate his work and want him to continue, all of you should also do the same and recruit members,” he said. He also challenged the incoming NYEC to take lead in the Tlokweng by election campaign.
The outgoing NYEC chairperson, Andy Boatile, who also received his fair share of praise from the President, said their biggest challenge was divisions.
“The most serious challenge we faced was divided BDP youth which is caused by advancing personal interest and these must be condemned,” he said. Boatile said another challenge is the perception that the general membership have about the way they should engage with the leadership.
Boatile said when he took over office in 2012 they had two targets being empowering the youth economically and politically. He said they did well politically and less economically.
He said this was evident as there are many youth representatives in many different party structures.