GABORONE - Gaborone North MP, Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi, says nomination of councillors and specially elected MPs are noble gestures, which should not be scrapped at the snap of a finger.

However, his gripe with the system is with the way the nomination of councillors was conducted, as there was never consultation since there has been uproar at the way the whole process was handled.

I do not have a problem with this principle because it has served us so well in the past and what we should be talking about is the review of the procedures.

He said regardless of the notion that the principle of nomination of councillors and specially elected MPs benefits the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), he held a different view saying there were some MPs and councillors who came through the said arrangement and proved that they were worthy to be part of the councils or parliament.

One such person is Ms Margaret Nasha whose credentials are not questionable.

Mr Molatlhegi who was responding to President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khamas speech also questioned the motives of the MPs who were advocating for a constitutional review saying they should not bring party politics into Parliament.

We should separate the constitution of this country and that of BDP because what you want to do is to tamper with this constitution to serve your interests.

He said Section 92 of the constitution gave them the power to pass a motion of no confidence in the President if they feel hard done by his leadership.

Why do we even have to change if Batswana do not know it? he asked.

When addressing the issue of Ipelegeng, he said it must be enhanced, as it was one of the dignified initiatives that could be used to fight poverty.

We need to pay them more and let them have short term contracts so that they may have a reliable source of income.

To discard the depending syndrome on the government, he encouraged the Ministry of Local Government to consider using Ipelegeng programme as one way of encouraging and assisting the needy to graduate from poverty.

Furthermore, he pointed out that Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs was a critical one as cases of labour issues were just too much to handle.

We need to address problems overwhelming this ministry because now the employers are trampling on the rights of workers to the point that they are now insulting our President.

Mr Molatlhegi said there was need for political will if the Youth Development Fund was to be a success: We also need to commit a lot of funds in order to address the plight of the young people.

Meanwhile, Tswapong South MP, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi wondered why there was public uproar when non-performers were shown the door.

He added that there were beliefs that some people performed below par so as to spite the government in office. What should be done when people do not perform? At the end of the day the government is viewed as a failure.

Mr Molebatsi also pointed out that it was disheartening that there was no stadium in Tswapong area when it was an open secret that most of local football stars were from the area. BOPA