Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has urged Batswana to value and protect the country’s democracy.
Speaking at a kgotla meeting, in Maitengwe on November 22, President Masisi said Botswana was recognised as a beacon of democracy globally, and called upon the citizens to maintain this by casting their votes wisely in the upcoming general elections.
He urged Batswana to carefully scrutinise the political candidates and their promises to ensure that they were realistic and attainable.
He advised the electorate to be discerning, as some contenders might make empty promisses. “Motho o tlaa go solofetsa terena mo Maitengwe, e re o solofetse go e bona e goroga, a fetoge a re nnyaa ne ke raya terena ya setshwantsho; a re tlhopheng yo o buang nnete,” he emphasized.
Moreover, the President encouraged prospective candidates to start campagning to potential voters and prepare for the forthcoming general elections. While acknowledging setbacks in the registration process, President Masisi affirmed that the elections were scheduled to take place in October next year.
With regards to issues of economic diversification, President Masisi assured the citizens that, during his tenure, he will continue to serve and diversify the country’s economy for the benefit of all Batswana. He said that policies would be implemented to create opportunities regardless of geographic location. “Re Batswana, ka jalo re ya go kgona go atlega fa re kitlanye re dira mmogo,” he stated.
The President cautioned public officers against failure to serve the public, saying that behaviour sabotaged government’s efforts to serve the citizens.
Meanwhile, Mr Shadrack Balopi, the Village Development Committee chairperson, requested the transformation of the local border post into a commercial one, considering the high traffic it received.
In response, Mr Eric Molale, Minister of Transport and Public Works, acknowledged the request but stated that the border post was not currently equipped for commercial purposes.
He also noted that while small vehicles, weighing around five tonnes, predominantly used the border post, they often carry overloaded trailers that exceed the permitted weight limit.
Mr Molale said government planned to procure weigh bridges to monitor vehicles and protect the national roads.
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