Ahead of the elections, Botswana Guardian had a chat with Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF)’s parliamentary candidate for Shashe West Jeremiah Frenzel to shed light on his vision for the future. He fields questions from Botswana Guardian.
BG: A lot of people we have spoken to, particularly in Chadibe and Borolong, see you as always available to help the community, often using your own resources to assist those in need. How do you plan to balance the personal approach with the larger demands of representing Shashe West Constituency in Parliament, should you be elected?
JF: Helping people comes naturally to me, which is why people may see me as readily available to assist when needed. Shashe West is a geographically broad constituency, so I may not always be able to reach everyone personally. With great opportunities come great responsibilities, and I believe in God—He always makes a way. If I am elevated to serve in Parliament, my communities will still maintain continuous contact with me. After all, those larger demands must still represent the interests of Shashe West.
BG: You are known for using your own time and resources to assist constituents, how do you plan to scale that commitment to a larger platform, especially when managing the broader demands of public office?
JF: As you’ve mentioned, public office comes with its own resources. The public office will have government resources available to better assist constituents. When combined with the little resources I have been offering and collaborations with constituents, we will meet most of the broader demands that have been raised.
BG: Many voters in your constituency appreciate your personal involvement in their lives, but can this approach be sustainable if you become a Member of Parliament? How will you ensure that systems and policies are put in place so that the community doesn’t always have to rely on your direct intervention?
JF: This is the third question you’ve asked about the appreciation constituents have for my efforts. I am humbled by this recognition and thank my constituents sincerely. If I become MP for Shashe West, we will establish an Office of Parliament within the constituency. This office will have service administrators who are members of the Shashe West community. Systems, interventions, and policies will be administered by these administrators, some on my behalf with my input, and others for the betterment of Shashe West.
BG: How do you plan to stay engaged with your constituents after the election to ensure that their voices are consistently heard and their needs addressed?
JF: Firstly, understand that I am also part of the community. As a resident of Makobo Village, which falls within the Shashe West Constituency, I have first-hand experience of the challenges my fellow constituents face. These include a lack of basic necessities like potable water and road infrastructure. Being a resident of the area makes me accessible, and I will remain engaged on socio-economic challenges within the constituency.
BG: What have you learned from listening to the people of Shashe West during your campaign, and how have their concerns shaped your plan of action should you get voted in?
JF: Poverty is rampant, young people are unemployed, and the lack of economic opportunities fuels social ills. The constituents need economic opportunities, and we must have more infrastructural projects; roads, clinics, and water projects that will create jobs and accelerate economic development. Infrastructure attracts investment, and I believe Shashe West should be positioned for industrialisation. We should see warehouses and retail outlets providing employment for our youth. Additionally, if elected, my Constituency Office will help young people access youth programmes to start small businesses. Agriculture, particularly small stock farming and horticulture, holds immense potential. Sometimes, the youth need to be guided. Community building through fundraising and social events, like sports, will help young people stay away from social ills and contribute to community building initiatives. The funds raised will be reinvested in sustainable community projects that can support livelihoods.
BG: The BPF is still a relatively young party compared to others. What do you believe sets you apart from other opposition parties, and how do you plan to contribute to its growth if elected?
JF: The BPF takes pride in putting people first. We’ve seen opposition parties come and go, some breaking apart because leaders prioritised personal interests over those of the people. At BPF, our mandate is to create a more liberal and prosperous Botswana, where ideals of equality, justice, and happiness are achievable for the majority of our people.
BG: With former president Ian Khama as the patron of the BPF, how do you respond to criticism that the party is too reliant on his influence, and how do you plan to establish your independent leadership style?
JF: I acknowledge that former President Khama is our patron, but the party’s growth will depend on collective leadership. I intend to establish an independent leadership style based on listening to my constituents and advocating for their needs within the framework of BPF’s vision.
BG: In opposition, holding the ruling party accountable can be challenging. How do you plan to ensure that your voice is heard in Parliament, especially when raising concerns for Shashe West if the
BPF does not win the presidency?
JF: Many of us in the BPF were once part of the ruling party. We left because we disagreed with some practices, feeling that the people’s interests were not prioritised. We know the inefficiencies in managing public resources. For Shashe West, mismanagement and underdevelopment are key issues. We will be vocal in promoting financial prudence and ensuring that Shashe West receives its rightful share of development.
BG: You have mentioned healthcare as a critical issue in Shashe West. Can you provide more details about how you would improve access to healthcare, particularly in villages where clinics are overcrowded or non-existent?
JF: The biggest challenge is the lack of doctors and medication. My plan is to seek sponsorships and ensure that, on a regular basis—perhaps every three months—we have a mobile clinic that tours Shashe West, conducts tests for various illnesses, and provides health education. Shashe West is a large constituency, and I will push for a well-resourced clinic or hospital as part of my mandate.
BG: Economic opportunities and unemployment are major concerns in Botswana. How do you plan to stimulate economic growth in Shashe West, particularly for youth and informal business owners?
JF: According to Statistics Botswana’s First Quarterly Report (2024) on the Labour Force Module, the current employment rate is 27.6 percent, just over a quarter of the population. I advocate for health programmes for informal traders, short-term welfare support through public works programmes, and community building projects. We plan to conduct several fundraising events and use the proceeds to invest in sustainable projects that will boost the Shashe West constituency.
BG: If elected, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave for the people of Shashe West, and how do you want your leadership to be remembered?
JF: I want to leave a crime-free constituency with low levels of poverty and unemployment. I want to foster an enterprising community, where food self-sufficiency through agriculture is prioritised. I envision a self-sustainable community with projects that support livelihoods and create lasting economic growth.
BG: A lot of people we have spoken to, particularly in Chadibe and Borolong, see you as always available to help the community, often using your own resources to assist those in need. How do you plan to balance the personal approach with the larger demands of representing Shashe West Constituency in Parliament, should you be elected?
JF: Helping people comes naturally to me, which is why people may see me as readily available to assist when needed. Shashe West is a geographically broad constituency, so I may not always be able to reach everyone personally. With great opportunities come great responsibilities, and I believe in God—He always makes a way. If I am elevated to serve in Parliament, my communities will still maintain continuous contact with me. After all, those larger demands must still represent the interests of Shashe West.
BG: You are known for using your own time and resources to assist constituents, how do you plan to scale that commitment to a larger platform, especially when managing the broader demands of public office?
JF: As you’ve mentioned, public office comes with its own resources. The public office will have government resources available to better assist constituents. When combined with the little resources I have been offering and collaborations with constituents, we will meet most of the broader demands that have been raised.
BG: Many voters in your constituency appreciate your personal involvement in their lives, but can this approach be sustainable if you become a Member of Parliament? How will you ensure that systems and policies are put in place so that the community doesn’t always have to rely on your direct intervention?
JF: This is the third question you’ve asked about the appreciation constituents have for my efforts. I am humbled by this recognition and thank my constituents sincerely. If I become MP for Shashe West, we will establish an Office of Parliament within the constituency. This office will have service administrators who are members of the Shashe West community. Systems, interventions, and policies will be administered by these administrators, some on my behalf with my input, and others for the betterment of Shashe West.
BG: How do you plan to stay engaged with your constituents after the election to ensure that their voices are consistently heard and their needs addressed?
JF: Firstly, understand that I am also part of the community. As a resident of Makobo Village, which falls within the Shashe West Constituency, I have first-hand experience of the challenges my fellow constituents face. These include a lack of basic necessities like potable water and road infrastructure. Being a resident of the area makes me accessible, and I will remain engaged on socio-economic challenges within the constituency.
BG: What have you learned from listening to the people of Shashe West during your campaign, and how have their concerns shaped your plan of action should you get voted in?
JF: Poverty is rampant, young people are unemployed, and the lack of economic opportunities fuels social ills. The constituents need economic opportunities, and we must have more infrastructural projects; roads, clinics, and water projects that will create jobs and accelerate economic development. Infrastructure attracts investment, and I believe Shashe West should be positioned for industrialisation. We should see warehouses and retail outlets providing employment for our youth. Additionally, if elected, my Constituency Office will help young people access youth programmes to start small businesses. Agriculture, particularly small stock farming and horticulture, holds immense potential. Sometimes, the youth need to be guided. Community building through fundraising and social events, like sports, will help young people stay away from social ills and contribute to community building initiatives. The funds raised will be reinvested in sustainable community projects that can support livelihoods.
BG: The BPF is still a relatively young party compared to others. What do you believe sets you apart from other opposition parties, and how do you plan to contribute to its growth if elected?
JF: The BPF takes pride in putting people first. We’ve seen opposition parties come and go, some breaking apart because leaders prioritised personal interests over those of the people. At BPF, our mandate is to create a more liberal and prosperous Botswana, where ideals of equality, justice, and happiness are achievable for the majority of our people.
BG: With former president Ian Khama as the patron of the BPF, how do you respond to criticism that the party is too reliant on his influence, and how do you plan to establish your independent leadership style?
JF: I acknowledge that former President Khama is our patron, but the party’s growth will depend on collective leadership. I intend to establish an independent leadership style based on listening to my constituents and advocating for their needs within the framework of BPF’s vision.
BG: In opposition, holding the ruling party accountable can be challenging. How do you plan to ensure that your voice is heard in Parliament, especially when raising concerns for Shashe West if the
BPF does not win the presidency?
JF: Many of us in the BPF were once part of the ruling party. We left because we disagreed with some practices, feeling that the people’s interests were not prioritised. We know the inefficiencies in managing public resources. For Shashe West, mismanagement and underdevelopment are key issues. We will be vocal in promoting financial prudence and ensuring that Shashe West receives its rightful share of development.
BG: You have mentioned healthcare as a critical issue in Shashe West. Can you provide more details about how you would improve access to healthcare, particularly in villages where clinics are overcrowded or non-existent?
JF: The biggest challenge is the lack of doctors and medication. My plan is to seek sponsorships and ensure that, on a regular basis—perhaps every three months—we have a mobile clinic that tours Shashe West, conducts tests for various illnesses, and provides health education. Shashe West is a large constituency, and I will push for a well-resourced clinic or hospital as part of my mandate.
BG: Economic opportunities and unemployment are major concerns in Botswana. How do you plan to stimulate economic growth in Shashe West, particularly for youth and informal business owners?
JF: According to Statistics Botswana’s First Quarterly Report (2024) on the Labour Force Module, the current employment rate is 27.6 percent, just over a quarter of the population. I advocate for health programmes for informal traders, short-term welfare support through public works programmes, and community building projects. We plan to conduct several fundraising events and use the proceeds to invest in sustainable projects that will boost the Shashe West constituency.
BG: If elected, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave for the people of Shashe West, and how do you want your leadership to be remembered?
JF: I want to leave a crime-free constituency with low levels of poverty and unemployment. I want to foster an enterprising community, where food self-sufficiency through agriculture is prioritised. I envision a self-sustainable community with projects that support livelihoods and create lasting economic growth.
