Presidential debates are regarded by some as the rightful stage for candidates to sell their party policy positions in order to influence how voters decide. BCP president, Dumelang Saleshando, was recently launched by his party as the presidential candidate where a number of central committee members took turns to endorse him.
On the other hand, Masisi was unanimously nominated and endorsed by the BDP Gaborone region at their congress. In a statement from party spokesperson, Mpho Pheko this week, the BCP challenged President Masisi to a public debate with its president, Saleshando.
Pheko indicated that with the public debate they want to allow the public a closer look into BCP and BDP promised policies that could usher Botswana into a prosperous future. “Of course, we do not expect him to honour the invitation, for it will expose the bereft of ideas that the BDP is,” Pheko said.
However, when asked if they accept BCP challenge, BCP spokesperson Kagelelo Kentse briefly said, “We will have the presidential debate as has been the norm. We will partake.” The BCP feels that the public debate could also give Saleshando an opportunity to tell Masisi to his face about the alleged nepotism and corruption in the current government.
“President Masisi is so haphazard and clueless on the best way to take this country forward and believes throwing money at problems is the way to go. “He takes the public for granted and believes his mismanagement of the public purse is enough to cover for his failures,” Pheko said. She added that the Saleshando-led BCP promises sustainable programmes and policies that would rescue Batswana from the clutches of the BDP created hardships and the alleged BDP-led corruption. “We reiterate that we have a plan and continue to share it with the people for a number of reasons, amongst them, to allow scrutiny, to allow public input and as well as to account for the promises we made. “Our plan is to save Botswana.
We once again urge Batswana to register in large numbers and vote for the BCP and reject the corrupt, moribund BDP regime at the polls in October 2024,” Pheko emphasised.
This will be the first time Masisi and Saleshando face off in a presidential debate. The first ever presidential debate in 2019 saw Masisi facing Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) president, Duma Boko, Alliance for Progressives (AP) president, Ndaba Gaolathe, and then Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) president, Biggie Butale. The controversial debate broadcast live on national television, Btv, saw Boko provocatively labelling Masisi-led administration as “bo nkoborwane, ditlhodi, bo magogajase, Rankurate”. At the time Saleshando couldn’t participate because he was a vice president under the UDC. While the BCP has shown readiness in holding the debate anytime, it is a norm that presidential candidates from other parties should be also present. Before Batswana, the candidates will be debating with each other and revealing their visions for the future of the nation.
Presidential debates are often regarded as a competition of ideas. With primary elections still outstanding for some parties and about five months left before the October election the belief sometimes as media networks hold these debates is that most voters have not yet made up their mind about who to vote for. Therefore, it is believed that these debates are an opportunity for undecided or swing voters to engage with presidential candidates. With critical thinking, and debating prowess needed, at times politicians take the platform to be spiteful and spew conspiracy theories.
