Masisi, who is also the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) president, arrived in Mookane, which falls under the 'destitute' Mahalapye East, just before 10am to the packed village football grounds. Multitudes who had arrived by bus and combi had already filled up the venue.
Masisi was clear in his message that he had come to plead for votes and called on the multitudes who came to recruit more people to ensure the BDP retains power.
Before addressing the attendants, he welcomed new members to the party in style. They were issued red BDP t-shirts and made to parade the ruling party umbrellas in a formation directed by the President. Masisi said it should be easy for people to vote for the BDP as it is the only party that has never had a bloody fight. "It is the only party that follows due process. Everything in the BDP starts from the roots, and we consult accordingly.
"We are the only party capable of taking this country forward," he said. Masisi called on members to support the party leadership in running the party and government. He said in doing all this, they are open to getting diverse views from everyone. Commenting on the ongoing debate about Constitution review, Masisi slammed the opposition, saying they want Batswana excluded from the process. "We did the review peacefully, involving Batswana and taking their views. The opposition is making noise, calling for a restart of the process.
"They want the review to be done by a few selected experts and then impose it on you. We will not allow that because the BDP prioritises your views," he said. Meanwhile, the party’s secretary general Kavis Kario praised Masisi for what he termed "great leadership". "Botswana has turned into a construction site.
Roads, schools, water and many other projects are being built, all thanks to our leader. He is also coming up with many programmes like Chema Chema and many others which help Batswana," he said. Since the then Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) legislator Yandani Boko quit Parliament earlier this year, the BDP has made its intention clear to win back the former BDP stronghold they lost in 2019.
Just last month, they welcomed Boko's mother in a special press conference hosted by Women's League President and Finance Minister Peggy Serame in Mahalapye. She was welcomed, amongst many other members, and an announcement that a Star Rally would be held in Mookane.
