All Quotes

"Even though farmers in the country experienced challenges of flooding of fields due to heavy rains received across the country, I am informed that they managed to plant about 34 195 hectares this year as compared to 29 658 hectares last year. Of the total planted last year, 31 895 hectares are for commercial farmers in Pandamatenga. This is a sign of commitment and dedication. The production ranges from 2.5 tons to three tons per hector compared to one ton per hector last year. This is indeed great success."

"Although climate change has adverse effects, it also creates opportunities for us to consider other crops that previously would not do well in our environment. Therefore there is need for farmers to change their mindset and search for opportunities in the midst of challenges."

"Construction of road networks and drainage systems funded by the African Development Bank and government of Botswana is on-going at present. Bush clearing of 2500 hectares of small holder farms is almost complete. This project will assist farmers to access their fields during the rainy season and also increase the hectorage under production at present. This is part of government efforts to assist the farmers."

"As a health practitioner, personally I am witness to the fact that lack of adequate food is the source of many health problems."

"I am calling on our government to seriously reconsider its policy on this delicate subject as it affects lives of our citizens in prisons."

"I am sure that there could be donor organisations that can assist in such circumstances. They should be approached."

"When we call De Graaf to Parliament to come and answer questions related to agriculture, he literally refuses and comes up with flimsy excuses like he is ill. He runs away. We are left with no option but to one day drag him to Parliament."

"There is a problem in the central committee, lack of cooperation in the regional and branch committees, the wards too have some problems. Tribalism has also dogged this constituency."

"I pledge to ensure that public property and funds are not spirited away to foreign lands by some leaders – including MPs."

"I am certain that some MPs and senior government officials don’t want me to return to parliament in 2014 because they know that there is no one in parliament with neither my academic qualifications nor expertise in forensic audit. So, if I don’t return to parliament, criminals will continue to steal from state coffers."

"It would be futile to elect someone who won’t cooperate with or even fight me. Doing that would only impede progress in your area."

"The tripartite relationship that involves students, teachers and parents should be encouraged since that is the only way we could ensure a bright future for our children. Let us not forget the private sector as they also play a part in learning process through the various contributions they make to schools and at ministry level."

"where the one with brains will be guaranteed a job upon completion of an academic degree."

"This atmosphere requires one to take advantage of government programmes while they are still available since there is no guarantee that they would continue to operate in the future."

"The important things that I have promised Batswana that the report has covered are still there. People are just doing the final submissions and I promise that we will release the report next week. We are finalising the report. I have told them to speed up their submissions."

"We are just doing the final touches and the report will be complete and ready for submission next week. Wait until next week you will see."

"If there is someone interested in that constituency who is not from BDP….that person is heading for disappointment. If I win the primaries, I do not dream of anyone winning that constituency except me."

"The people of Gaborone West North are clever and would not be cheated by anyone."

"Capital punishment is here to stay. As a democracy we appreciate all views and opinions. This is what makes Botswana such a unique and indeed healthy democracy. However, we once again reiterate that under the BDP, capital punishment is here to stay."

"I have even been to VP’s place for three times this year where we discussed political issues and issues not related to politics. We have a good relationship and we have been working very well closely."

"I am not for lobby lists. They have not done any good for the party. I decided to go solo just two years back because I want to appeal to all democrats. But this does not mean I have anything with those in lobby lists I just want to be the secretary general of all democrats. I want after the congress to work with everyone not having to face other people from another lobby list that I was decampaigning."

"We do meet occasionally with Molefhi where we share a cup of coffee. Balopi our offices are next to each other’s so we always meet and chat while Nkate we do converse over the phone."

"Poverty eradication should target rural areas."

"If only we had programmes that could utilize cattle hides we could create a lot of jobs."

"Please start implementing your transfer policy."

"It must be accepted that individuals have a right to benefit from economic activities."

"Opposition politicians spend most of their time alleging corruption. People have been tried, convicted and abused by other politicians."

"There was a lot of dissatisfaction within the party."

"What is the use of holding on to a Cabinet position only to be voted out of power in 2014. A Secretary General can make a party win or lose elections."

"You do not win elections through a strong government; it is a strong party that wins you an election. When we went to the elections in 2009 Lobatse was a huge construction site. In as far as government programmes are concerned we were doing very well, but our position as a party was weak because of the internal squabbles. That is why we lost that Constituency."

"As the BDP we would be in denial if we do not accept that the formation of the BMD poses a threat for us in the next election."

"I cannot place these people in the political landscape of this country. I however believe that these are scores of apolitical voters who have now found a home in the BMD. These swing voters are a very important constituency that may decide who wins the next election."

"I have a connection with the people."

"We should debate and consider the issue of political party funding. People of this country should fund the democracy that they enjoy. These are some of the contemporary issues that we need to address or risk becoming irrelevant to the current political thinking."

"It is one thing to have a law and another to understand it. Dikgosi are the most appropriate people to engage as they have better access to the communities and the parents of the children. You must not only address the councillors, people will look at it like a political matter and leave it like that."

"Some of the things were said because tempers were high. We are not going to act haphazardly. The Central Committee will still go back to them on some of the issues and how they view them."

"Unfortunately, he is now a chief and can no longer go back to politics."

"I am not talking to the BDP and I am not interested. I still think they are a joke."

"Who in their right mind would at this time join a party that is on its knees? Who in their sound political judgment would at this time join a party that is creating such a mess with the lives of so many students? I am a serious politician. The BDP is destroying the future of young Batswana."

"And I did not resign from the BDP because I wanted any favours. I am happy at the BCP and I am ready to take on the BDP on a political battle in the Kanye North constituency."

"I had started to lose interest in politics. Since joining Botswana Congress Party I have once again reconnected with my enthusiasm for politics."

"Having gone through a conference and having experienced a campaign under the BCP I feel a renewed energy. I was beginning to lose confidence in politics. I feel good that I have found people who have conviction."

"We call these experts the parliamentary support group. They are very enriching and they bring with them the quality that you hear among our debates. I now enjoy parliament."

"My answer is always the same; the BDP has run out of steam. I don’t regret leaving the BDP, not a bit. That party has lost focus."

"With all their resources the BDP is not doing well. If you take the recent by-election at Francistown we had a new candidate while the BDP’s knew his way around. For us it was a defeat but it was not embarrassing."

"These problems are too big to be resolved by backyard gardens. We shouldn’t be threatened by BDP freebies. Very soon people will see that a blanket is not going to change my life."

"That said I still believe that the BCP has a chance of about 20 constituencies in the 2014 elections. Clearly the show is on, especially for the 2019 General elections."

"We have to spread to new areas, especially the south of the country. Admittedly the crown may not be possible in 2014 but growth will be there, especially in areas where the BCP did not exist before."

"The approach will not bear any fruits. Trying to fix or calibrate a piece of equipment that you did not design or you are not trained to fix will be a total disaster."

"I did not even bother to appeal, but what I can confirm is that it is very costly. Some people would fail to appeal because they do not have traveling resources."