The Botswana Movement for Democracy Youth League (BMDYL) hosted a fundraising dinner at the Oasis Motel in Tlokweng last Friday.
The dinner, which was held under the theme “Dining for Democracy: Youth in pursuit of the restoration of Democracy”, was attended by youth from across the political divide and was graced by, amongst others, the BMD interim leadership, the BCP President Dumelang Saleshando, the BCP Youth League President Lotty Manyapetsa, the BNF President Duma Boko, the BNF Women’s League interim President Rhoda Sekgororoane, BNF Youth League President Kagiso Ntime and representatives from various worker’s unions.
In his address to the multitudes that had filled up the marquee by the pool side, BMD Youth League interim Chairman, Armstrong Dikgafela, said youth activism had just begun and urged likeminded young people to make it happen for their country.
“The wind of change is blowing through this country and whether they like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact,” said Dikgafela. He also said this was a reminder to the ruling party that the honeymoon is over.
Dikgafela told his audience, “In four years from now all young people eligible to vote will have the chance to join us in saying that we are tired of business as usual. We are hungry for change and we are ready to believe in our potential.”
The guest speaker, whom Dikgafela had described in his address as a man who has been the driving force behind the rights of the workers for many years, was Mogomotsi Motshegwa, who doubles as Publicity Secretary for BOSETU and Secretary General for BOFEPUSO.
For his part Motshegwa said never in the history of this country had young people been so enthusiastic about their role in nation building and in politics.
“I’m tempted to believe that your victory together with other political players of your kind will mean a mandate for a new beginning in our country’s affairs, an era of courage, an era of world class transformation, and an era of confidence-believing in ourselves as a people,” said Motshegwa in his address.
He said there’s too much work to be done by opposition parties and they can do it together, united, or they can do it divided, eating on each other.
“So, make the right choice now, not later,” warned Motshegwa. He also applauded the BMD youth league for organizing the fundraising dinner and told them that they cannot even start-off the struggle until they have raised sufficient funds.
Motshegwa added that “the world today requires an enhanced role of young people as we together promote peace, democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and putting up a fight against poverty”.
According to one of the organizers of the event, Roseline Panzirah, the tickets for the dinner were sold out and many people pledged more donations at the dinner.
She said the money will be used to run the youth league activities.
