12/11/2025
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Leader of Opposition (LOO) Dumelang Saleshando has called for the creation of a Special Member of Parliament (SMP) position dedicated to representing people living with disabilities (PWDs).
Responding to President Duma Bokoβs State of the Nation Address (SONA), Saleshando said it is time for Botswanaβs democracy to embrace true inclusivity by ensuring that all citizens are represented in the highest decision-making body.
He noted that while Botswana has made strides in empowering women and youth, people with disabilities remain underrepresented and often spoken for rather than by themselves.
βWe need to give people with disabilities a direct voice in Parliament,β Saleshando emphasized, adding that such a move would not only enhance advocacy but also enrich national debates with lived experiences and perspectives from the disability community.
Saleshando said the creation of a Special MP seat would align with the principles of equality and fairness, as enshrined in the Constitution and Vision 2036βs pillar of Human and Social Development. He urged government and all political parties to take deliberate steps toward this reform, arguing that inclusion should not be a token gesture but a cornerstone of a modern and compassionate democracy.
His remarks received widespread attention, with disability rights advocates welcoming the proposal as a progressive step toward meaningful representation and policy influence.