Africa-Press – Botswana. The contest for the Gamalete constituency intensified on Friday as five parliamentary hopefuls battled it out in Radio Botswana live debate in Ramotswa.
The candidates: Mr Boniface Mabeo of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Dr Derrick Tlhoiwe of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Mr John Mhaladi of the Botswana Republican Party (BRP), Independent candidate Mr Tomi Setshogo and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC)’s Mr Gofaone Keakile presented their plans to tackle pressing issues faced by residents, such as unemployment, lack of potable water, and underdevelopment.
Highlighting challenges in the area, Mr Mabeo asserted that his party was best positioned to address them. He criticised government for failing to develop targeted programmes for pork producers, despite Ramotswa’s reputation for pig farming.
He said government should ban pork imports to bolster local production. He also emphasised the need to facilitate the usage of underground water by assisting farmers to have access to boreholes. According to Mr Mabeo, such initiatives could transform agriculture in the area and alleviate unemployment. Additionally, he said that BCP would create 300 000 jobs within five years if elected.
For his part, Dr Tlhoiwe argued that the government’s role should be to foster an enabling environment for the private sector rather than create jobs directly. He explained that BDP-led government renegotiated its deal with De Beers to ensure that Botswana had a fairer share of the lucrative diamond industry.
Dr Tlhoiwe also outlined plans under the District Development Plan (DDP) 9 for the construction of two new primary schools in Disaneng and Taung as well as expansion of pre-primary classroom facilities in the area.
Mr Mhaladi underscored the necessity of economic growth and infrastructural development, calling for the road from the South African border to Taung to be upgraded to a dual carriageway to facilitate increased trade.
He also proposed tarring of the road from Ramotswa to Mothubakwane as an alternative route to the A1 road. Mr Mhaladi also suggested establishing a recycling plant at the landfill to create jobs.
Mr Setshogo urged voters to be wary of his opponents’ promises, stating that successful projects hinged on economic performance. He criticised the UDC’s proposals as unsustainable.
He said that the government should have maintained its existing deal with De Beers, alleging that the diamond giants were angry hence the low sales of diamond. Mr Setshogo emphasised the need for accountability in leadership and called for transparency regarding the Bamalete Trust Fund’s activities.
For his part, Mr Keakile promised to address the issue of employee salary arrears at Bamalete Hospital if elected. He also said his party would ensure implementation of minimum wage of P4 000.
In addition, he said UDC would ensure access to potable water within five months of being elected. He advocated for rapid economic growth and pledged to cut funding for ‘wasteful programmes’, saying of voted, the party would sell the recently bought bulls to redirect the funds to other essential sectors of the economy.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
