Milestones Reached Despite Covid-19 Pandemic
Botswana Democratic Party is hosting its 39th National Congress in Tsabong this weekend. Officially opening the congress, His Excellency the President of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) who is also the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi said response to Covid-19 pandemic needed huge amounts of money to mitigate, and a planned manifesto implementation was disrupted. He said initial priorities had to be revisited and the government came up with a reset agenda.
The top priority of the reset agenda was to save Batswana from Covid-19 through the implementation of life saving programmes that included a successful and timely vaccination roll out. Botswana is currently on top in statistical indicators, and even today, every clinic around the country has vaccinations for everyone. The President said.
Speaking to the second priority which is aligning government machinery to the presidential agenda, he said as the President, he gives direction and shows ways in which things are to be done for the government to achieve that which is intended. The President further mentioned digitization as the third priority of the reset agenda which is aimed at ensuring effective delivery of services to the people.
He said Value chain development is to unlock opportunities for new high growth companies in the private sector and youth employment among other attributes and he lastly mentioned the mindset change which requires Batswana to understand the importance of changing their mindset in order to achieve the high income country status which is highly desired.
His Excellency mentioned a number of achievements that the government has attained so far. Among those achievements is the new horticulture scheme which the government launched. The scheme pays 50% for agricultural initiatives to encourage Batswana to go into agricultural production in a significant way. He said the limiting of importation of some agricultural products is to encourage Batswana to produce locally. Botswana is currently able to produce 70% of the local demand of potatoes and tomatoes. Selibe Phikwe citrus project which currently employs about 1000 people was also mentioned under the agricultural milestones.
Welcoming the delegation invited from neighbouring countries, His Honour the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane appreciated their presence and said it shows the good relations Botswana has with neighbouring countries. The Vice President said this good relations assists in nurturing democracy in Southern Africa as a region and also allows regional parties to learn from each other.
Speaking and welcoming Democrats in his village, Kgosi Toto showed gratitude and said BDP highly favoured his village by choosing it to host its congress. He said for the congress to be held in his village means that small businesses in Tsabong will make profits as there are more customers therefore improving their livelihoods.
He said the congress is also an opportunity for the village as some people attending the congress will see business opportunities and eventually come back to open businesses in the area giving an example of tourism among others. He said this congress added a chapter to the history of Tsabong.
