Shima Monageng

"We must work on doing more with less, stop praising challenges, and move forward,” he remarked. He highlighted the need for Botswana to reduce its dependence on diamond revenue, advocating for the development of tourism, manufacturing, and creative industries."

"We cannot move forward without prudent financial management."

"The community is increasingly concerned about the rising crime rates, highlighting the urgent need for a well-resourced police station."

"Water scarcity has been discussed for long with ground breakings for water infrastructure projects, yet little has been done. This calls for a forensic audit to investigate the water tenders."

"This is a serious issue that speaks to the neglect and marginalisation of our community."

"My dream to become an MP started in 2003, that is 21 years ago. It has been my desire to see myself representing Bakwena in Parliament but it wasn't only a desire."

"I'm interested to see Molepolole transform development-wise. I want to see youth getting employed, see the health sector improve and most importantly end shortage of water in the village amongst other things."

"This was my fifth time trying, and at last I got it."

"If I realised at some point that the challenges they faced were answered, maybe I would have just sat back because it would have indicated that the area had an able leader, but until then I knew I had to keep pushing and that is one thing that inspired me the most."

"I have a good legacy among Bakwena, one of them being spearheading the establishment of Mafenyatlala Mall as well as two filling stations, so both I and Bakwena felt that the chapter would not be closed until I represented them at parliament to advocate for their betterment."

"Actually, my family was against me standing for this election as they felt that enough was enough, but I had to plead and convince them to allow me one last chance."

"If it was just by me, I would tell you that I will not seek re-election. I do not want to overstay, but these are my wishes and they may be outweighed by those of my constituents."

"All these years Batswana have been reluctant on regime change all because of just a fear for the unknown, and now that they found the strength to change, it is upon us as the UDC to instill trust in them that the act was not suicidal."

"Mmatli is ruining our chances of winning."

"Mmatli is just being a joke."

"I will face him as Mokoko."

"The rest are empty, with no beds or equipment. There’s a severe shortage of staff and specialists, forcing patients to travel to Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone at great expense."

"Every year, they told us the problem would be fixed by year-end, but nothing changed."

"Residents are forced to buy water from bowsers or collect it from leaking pipes."

"He rarely addressed ward meetings, preferring to announce government projects at the main kgotla. He even claimed he was an MP for the whole country, not just Bakwena."

"He misrepresented Bakwena by claiming every household had a portrait of Masisi. I’ve never seen one in my sisters’ homes."

"Morwaeng was invisible during this tragedy. He skipped the memorial service in Molepolole to attend one in Gaborone, further hurting the bereaved families."

"If Bakwena vote me out in 2029, I’d accept it – but not if they bring back Morwaeng."

"I was surprised that when a party chairman summons a member, he does not take his orders."

"I can't resign when I have made so many strides in the constituency. I can't dump so many BDP members who have voted for me. I want to dispel the notion that I was challenging the party chairman. I was contesting to enhance democracy. Democracy encourages competition."