BCP holds grand presidential launch
Saleshando can Save Botswana - Dr Pheko BCP still concerned by power wielded by head of state
Botswana needs some urgent reforms to change the trajectory towards a failed state, and this can be achieved if the electorate prioritise the quality of presidential candidates in the coming general election.
Wi t h B o t s w a n a ’ s development indicators on a downward spiral, Botswana Congress Party ( BCP) is scheduled to launch its Presidential candidate, Dumelang Saleshando in Gaborone this weekend.
Saleshando is currently the Member of Parliament for Maun West. The BCP is so far the only political party that has held primary elections, shared its ten points agenda for its manifesto and has now started launching its candidates. BCP Publicity Secretary, Dr Mpho Pheko told Botswana Guardian that preparations are at an advanced stage. She stated that Botswana needs the calibre of Saleshando, an individual who carries himself with Presidential decorum.
“An individual wi th integrity and whose word can be trusted by the citizens. An i ndividua l whos e contribution towards the country’s development is not questionable.
“An individual whose vision and aspiration for the country will radically detour the current destructive path. Botswana needs some urgent reforms to change the trajectory towards a failed state,” she stated.
According to the publicity secretary, a transformative approach starts with the Presidency. She stated that it matters who occupies the Office of the President. Dr Phe k o i n d i c a t e d that implementation of Governance reforms to meet citizens’ aspirations as expressed in the recent Const itutional Review Consultations requires an individual who is able to look beyond their self- interest.
“The Constitution of Botswana gives the President almost unchecked powers to be in total control of
Government, its resources, as well as end to end machinery, i nc lu d i ng ov e r s i g ht institutions.
“The ongoing constitutional review process is testament to the level of control the President has over the state and by extension the people’s daily lives. The constitution is the foundational document that defines the Republic and determines the governance of a country.
“It is a tool that is not only collectively owned, but an instrument that holds everyone accountable as citizens and as both state and non- state institutions,” Dr Pheko said.
She said with the launch of their president, the BCP wants to leave a mark and prove to Batswana that they need a person of Saleshando’s calibre in the country.
The BCP will be contesting the 2024 general election solo after its cooperation talks with Alliance for Progressives ( AP) collapsed. The two parties engaged in cooperation talks following a resolution by the BCP conference to dump Umbrella for Democratic Change ( UDC), which the AP has since joined.
Dr Pheko says the process that the country recently undertook with the review process was to cement the Supremacy of the President over, not only the citizens whose affairs they oversee, but even the Constitution itself. She added that the fact that the President could unilaterally sit and determine the process of a comprehensive review of our founding document is scary to say the least. Further, that it becomes unfathomable, considering that not only are they empowered to unilaterally define this
process, they also have the power to totally disregard what the citizens want in their own constitution, in an instance where they found some space in the President’s agenda.
“The constitutional review process, flawed as it were, provided insights into some of what the people and in some case, how they want to be governed. In their basket of wants was the demand for a direct election of their President.
“However, President Mokgweetsi Masisi has since disregarded this plea from the citizens and excluded it from the Bill before Parliament.
“It is very strange that a man who occupies office, largely as an outcome of a backroom deal they reached with former president ( at least that is what the fallout suggests), used state resources to entrench himself and legitimise his Presidency through a process that for the first time in our history was questionable”, she said.
The BCP spokesperson indicated that this is why it matters who occupies that seat “as people like the current president, are totally not fit to be entrusted with such responsibility.”
According to Dr Pheko, President Masisi, whose temperament, seen during the negotiations with De Beers, the Trophy hunting debate, recent outburst in Parliament, and a string of public addresses through the kgotla, is not presidential, to say the least.
“BCP is therefore unveiling the most fitting presidential candidate, who has proved himself beyond doubt, to be the most smart- working and organised of them all, Honourable Saleshando.”