BDP denounced in Tonota North

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Tuesday August 10, 2010 00:00

During the launch of Dr Hobona, various speakers from the BCP, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) and Botswana National Front (BNF) said it was an opportune time for the BCP to wrestle the constituency from the BDP which they say is in 'intensive care unit (ICU)'. First to launch an onslaught at the BDP was BCP official, Vain Mamela, who indicated that although the BDP has an advantage in terms of resources that will help it with its campaigning, it will lose the area to the opposition because of the internal problems that are currently haunting it.

Another speaker, BMD interim leader, Gomolemo Motswaledi said the fact that BDP has failed to develop Tonota North in the past four decades, puts the opposition at an advantage. He stressed that the area is lagging behind in terms of development infrastructure despite Botswana priding itself on being one of the wealthiest economies on the African continent. He described Tonota North as one of the most underdeveloped areas in the country despite its proximity to the diamond-mining town of Orapa and the city of Francistown. Motswaledi implored Tonota North constituents to vote for Hobona saying that she would turn things around once in parliament.

He also expressed confidence in the opposition's impending victory in Tonota North as the BDP is still encountering problems of people departing from the party en masse

Another speaker, BNF secretary general Akanyang Magama said next-month's by-election would put to test the efficiency of opposition cooperation, noting that there is likelihood that it will strengthen the relations between opposition parties. 'Although we have slight differences as political movements, we are all pursuing a common goal of removing the BDP from power. BDP is not well. It is in the ICU and this is the opportune time for us to get power,' said Magama. He likened the BDP to a dying mother who has had complications after conceiving at a late age. This was in reference to the BDP split which led to the formation of the BMD, for the first time since 1961. He said: 'It is a common belief that if a person gives birth at a late age, either that person or the baby is bound not to survive.'

He said in the situation of the BDP, the party is unlikely to survive since its splinter party is growing very fast.High-ranking officials from various opposition movements of BMD, BNF and the Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) graced the launch. This follows the resolutions by the various party congresses to support the BCP in the Tonota North by-election. The by-election for this area takes place on September 4 to fill the seat that fell vacant after the passing on of former Finance Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) Baledzi Gaolathe early this year.