FRANCISTOWN: Alliance for progressives (AP) vice president and Member of Parliament (MP) for Francistown South, Wynter Mmolotsi has pleaded with the University of Botswana (UB) to consider introducing leadership and capacity building programmes for parliamentarians and councillors.

Mmolotsi made his plea during UB’s 40 years anniversary celebrations. The ceremony was held at the UB Centre for Continuing Education North (CCN) under the theme: ‘Creating a future for the knowledge generation through continuous education.’

In the past there have been concerns about the competency of MP’s and councillors. Some people believe that having an academic qualification should be a prerequisite for councillors and MPs.

Even though that might be the case, some of the leaders have excelled in their positions without any qualifications.

In his address, the MP said some of the elected leaders do not have any formal education nor qualification or experience for their positions.

He stated that, if the leaders can go through capacity building and leadership training, they would be able to enhance their competency and leadership skills. MPs and councilors play a role in the initiation of government policies and it is critical for them to have the much needed qualifications. “Therefore, I appeal with the Vice Chancellor of UB to consider coming up with leadership and capacity building programmes for the MPs and councilors, which are aligned to their duties,” said Mmolotsi.

He said the programmes would assist the leaders to effectively deliver on their duties. If MPs and councilors can get the qualifications, he said that would contribute to progressive debates in Parliament and council chambers respectively.

Mmolotsi said Batswana have lost hope on some of the leaders due to their contributions during the parliamentary debates.

“Some Batswana were shocked and embarrassed by some of the debates during the live parliamentary sessions, which were aired on Botswana Television and other official Facebook pages,” he said.

On another note, the Francistown South MP also pleaded with the UB leadership to consider introducing second and third degrees to the CCN facility so that people can further their studies here not at the Gaborone campus. During the recent parliamentary session, Batswana took to social media to express their dismay with the quality of debates as they were not satisfactory.