WHY VOTE FOR THEM
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, leader of opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Duma Boko, Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Mephato Reatile of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) are all vying for the presidency as the 2024 general election day fast approaches.
Each one of them is confident that they are the right man to steer the Botswana ship, they have throughout the past few months leading up to the elections traversed the country, each man sharing how he believes he is a better leader compared to the others. This is the gist of what we have picked from them at their public rallies:
MOKGWEETSI MASISI
In the driving seat since 2018, Masisi feels that under his leadership, Botswana is in safe hands. He boasts of how he has brought many life-improving opportunities to Batswana such as buying them cattle and goats abroad to diversify and improve their stock breed in the country.
He has made it possible for every Motswana to have electricity installed in their homes by deciding that all connections will be made by Botswana Power Cooperation (BPC) for free. He has introduced programmes such as Chema Chema where ordinary Batswana can apply for funding and be assisted to start preferred businesses.
He also came up with Thuo and Temo Letlotlo programmes geared at assisting farmers, as well as banning imports of vegetables and school uniforms to boost local production and thereby help produce more enterpreneurs. Lately, it has been one ground-breaking launch after another for roads construction throughout the country, with the president riding on the excuse of delays in these projects by the Covid 19 pandemic. Now it is time to deliver, he says. Nonetheless, many have seen the many ceremonies as mere electioneering, arguing that when something is launched, there should be action on the ground that reflects that construction will commence but so far, and since some of them were launched a month ago, there has been little to no action. Although a lot of criticism was focused on the Nata-Francistown road, significant progress was seen recently as the contractors set up shop and started grading an alternative road. Masisi believes he is the man to be trusted, famously saying to the electorate: “Ke le bereketse mann, jaanong lare why le sa ntlhophe mann?” He has been flaunting the electric car said to have been assembled in Botswana, saying this was the beginning of fulfilling the promise of future full scale production by Batswana. He has on several occasions discredited the other three gentlemen, saying they lack leadership qualities, and famously noting that Boko leads 'magobe,' Reatile a mere shephered holding fort for Khama brothers and Saleshando leading 'botalanyana jwa gagwe.'
DUMA BOKO
He comes to the 2024 elections a wounded man after becoming the biggest casualty of the 2019 elections when he lost Gaborone Bonnington North Constituency to Annah Mokgethi of BDP. The results hit the flamboyant lawyer like a tonne of bricks - he had not seen it coming and since then, he has been crying foul that the elections were rigged, that the BDP manipulated results and has vowed to do everything to ensure that such does not repeat in the 2024 polls.
Boko is so much into busting election rigging that he even decided that he will not be contesting any constituency this year. He has sent out men and women to vie for seats while he plays the game outside the pitch. His ultimate goal is the State House. He promises loads of money for the working class, students and pensioners. Job will be galore under his rule he promises.
He has even formed Madibelatlhopho, a pressure group that reports everything to him anything they deem irregular about elections and their preparations. They are always nearby, observing and asking questions, in some instances there have been violent scenes leading to the intervention of the police. They are also quick to rush to court when aggrieved. At the start of the election process, voter registration had to be postponed indefinitely because they wanted to have observers at polling stations during registration. For the past few months, this group has constantly locked horns with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
They question every ‘suspicious’ movement made by the IEC pertaining to elections. Boko has even sent a chilling warning to the IEC boss, threatening to deal with him, family and children if he persists with bothinthinyana of aiding rigging of elections. He asserts too, that 're buswa ke magodu' who should be sent packing this year.
With what many call a 'vigilante group' up and running, Boko is convinced that this time he will emerge victorious as no rigging means a clear path for him towards the state house.
MEPHATO REATILE
The man has for the past five years been a Member of Parliament for the Jwaneng-Mabutsane constituency. He was voted into power in 2019 through the BDP ticket but crossed the floor in 2020. He assumed the BPF presidency last year following the suspension of former party president Biggie Butale who ultimately left the party.
The BPF President Reatile says the ruling party has shown time and time again that they are not trustworthy as they often lie openly in public and eat the spoils of this nation with foreigners who have no good intentions for the country. Reatile said that some Members of Parliament entered the 12th parliament as poor as a church mouse and now are filthy rich in a short period of time. He promises that the BPF would take power in the upcoming elections because the power is in the hands of the people who vote. Reatile berated BDP President Masisi for meddling with Botswana’s revenues, saying his family is implicated in corrupt tenders.
He has many times refuted claims that the BPF is a party anchored on attacking the BDP, he said that his party is committed to regime change and improving the lives of Batswana.
DUMELANG SALESHANDO
Botswana Congress Party President (BCP), Dumelang Saleshando vows to give Batswana a better future through his party. Saleshando has made assurances that with the BCP is in power, the country would be blessed with very educated people in leadership positions, including at land boards where they will ensure that the issue of people not having land is a thing of the past.
From his promises at various political rallies, Saleshando says the BCP's proposed reforms will build a sustainable, inclusive economy and foster social well-being across generations. Central to this vision is creating a climate-sensitive, high-wage economy that will generates 60, 000 quality jobs annually while promoting enterprise, growth, and wealth creation.
Reforms will ensure equitable access to land and housing by eliminating corruption and improving policies. A standards-based education system aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
will equip children with globally competitive skills. The health system will be overhauled to provide quality public and private healthcare.
Additionally, the plan prioritises child protection, youth employment, and efforts to combat gender-based violence, while strengthening social protection to leave no one behind. Good governance is emphasised through a more accountable public service and an empowered local government, ensuring efficient management of resources and services.
Each one of them is confident that they are the right man to steer the Botswana ship, they have throughout the past few months leading up to the elections traversed the country, each man sharing how he believes he is a better leader compared to the others. This is the gist of what we have picked from them at their public rallies:
MOKGWEETSI MASISI
In the driving seat since 2018, Masisi feels that under his leadership, Botswana is in safe hands. He boasts of how he has brought many life-improving opportunities to Batswana such as buying them cattle and goats abroad to diversify and improve their stock breed in the country.
He has made it possible for every Motswana to have electricity installed in their homes by deciding that all connections will be made by Botswana Power Cooperation (BPC) for free. He has introduced programmes such as Chema Chema where ordinary Batswana can apply for funding and be assisted to start preferred businesses.
He also came up with Thuo and Temo Letlotlo programmes geared at assisting farmers, as well as banning imports of vegetables and school uniforms to boost local production and thereby help produce more enterpreneurs. Lately, it has been one ground-breaking launch after another for roads construction throughout the country, with the president riding on the excuse of delays in these projects by the Covid 19 pandemic. Now it is time to deliver, he says. Nonetheless, many have seen the many ceremonies as mere electioneering, arguing that when something is launched, there should be action on the ground that reflects that construction will commence but so far, and since some of them were launched a month ago, there has been little to no action. Although a lot of criticism was focused on the Nata-Francistown road, significant progress was seen recently as the contractors set up shop and started grading an alternative road. Masisi believes he is the man to be trusted, famously saying to the electorate: “Ke le bereketse mann, jaanong lare why le sa ntlhophe mann?” He has been flaunting the electric car said to have been assembled in Botswana, saying this was the beginning of fulfilling the promise of future full scale production by Batswana. He has on several occasions discredited the other three gentlemen, saying they lack leadership qualities, and famously noting that Boko leads 'magobe,' Reatile a mere shephered holding fort for Khama brothers and Saleshando leading 'botalanyana jwa gagwe.'
DUMA BOKO
He comes to the 2024 elections a wounded man after becoming the biggest casualty of the 2019 elections when he lost Gaborone Bonnington North Constituency to Annah Mokgethi of BDP. The results hit the flamboyant lawyer like a tonne of bricks - he had not seen it coming and since then, he has been crying foul that the elections were rigged, that the BDP manipulated results and has vowed to do everything to ensure that such does not repeat in the 2024 polls.
Boko is so much into busting election rigging that he even decided that he will not be contesting any constituency this year. He has sent out men and women to vie for seats while he plays the game outside the pitch. His ultimate goal is the State House. He promises loads of money for the working class, students and pensioners. Job will be galore under his rule he promises.
He has even formed Madibelatlhopho, a pressure group that reports everything to him anything they deem irregular about elections and their preparations. They are always nearby, observing and asking questions, in some instances there have been violent scenes leading to the intervention of the police. They are also quick to rush to court when aggrieved. At the start of the election process, voter registration had to be postponed indefinitely because they wanted to have observers at polling stations during registration. For the past few months, this group has constantly locked horns with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
They question every ‘suspicious’ movement made by the IEC pertaining to elections. Boko has even sent a chilling warning to the IEC boss, threatening to deal with him, family and children if he persists with bothinthinyana of aiding rigging of elections. He asserts too, that 're buswa ke magodu' who should be sent packing this year.
With what many call a 'vigilante group' up and running, Boko is convinced that this time he will emerge victorious as no rigging means a clear path for him towards the state house.
MEPHATO REATILE
The man has for the past five years been a Member of Parliament for the Jwaneng-Mabutsane constituency. He was voted into power in 2019 through the BDP ticket but crossed the floor in 2020. He assumed the BPF presidency last year following the suspension of former party president Biggie Butale who ultimately left the party.
The BPF President Reatile says the ruling party has shown time and time again that they are not trustworthy as they often lie openly in public and eat the spoils of this nation with foreigners who have no good intentions for the country. Reatile said that some Members of Parliament entered the 12th parliament as poor as a church mouse and now are filthy rich in a short period of time. He promises that the BPF would take power in the upcoming elections because the power is in the hands of the people who vote. Reatile berated BDP President Masisi for meddling with Botswana’s revenues, saying his family is implicated in corrupt tenders.
He has many times refuted claims that the BPF is a party anchored on attacking the BDP, he said that his party is committed to regime change and improving the lives of Batswana.
DUMELANG SALESHANDO
Botswana Congress Party President (BCP), Dumelang Saleshando vows to give Batswana a better future through his party. Saleshando has made assurances that with the BCP is in power, the country would be blessed with very educated people in leadership positions, including at land boards where they will ensure that the issue of people not having land is a thing of the past.
From his promises at various political rallies, Saleshando says the BCP's proposed reforms will build a sustainable, inclusive economy and foster social well-being across generations. Central to this vision is creating a climate-sensitive, high-wage economy that will generates 60, 000 quality jobs annually while promoting enterprise, growth, and wealth creation.
Reforms will ensure equitable access to land and housing by eliminating corruption and improving policies. A standards-based education system aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
will equip children with globally competitive skills. The health system will be overhauled to provide quality public and private healthcare.
Additionally, the plan prioritises child protection, youth employment, and efforts to combat gender-based violence, while strengthening social protection to leave no one behind. Good governance is emphasised through a more accountable public service and an empowered local government, ensuring efficient management of resources and services.
