It is not an exaggeration to say that, in general terms, many Non Governmental Organisations in Botswana have derailed from the mandate for which they were created.
There is also consensus among the public that as a matter of policy, NGOs are these days given to flouting the rules of governance.
Perhaps these are the signs of the times in which we live.
But as is well known, some NGOs have become one-man empires, owned, manipulated and terrorized by the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Secretary, National Director or Executive Director as the case may be.
Boards of Directors, if they happen to exist, do so only in name.
In most instances such figureheads are handpicked by the Chief Executive to whom they are in one way or another indebted or held in absolute sway.
The Executive Director uses all tricks in the book to enlist his/her hangers on.
It is not unusual to come across an NGO that is run and controlled from a household ÔÇô owned and controlled by wife and husband.
This cannot be good for governance.
There are many stories of NGOs that have consistently failed not only to account for finances at Annual General Meetings, in worse cases others have spent years without producing their financials.
This does not in any way inspire confidence.
It must be stated right from the onset that the only thing that NGOs have as their stock in trade is integrity. Once that is questionable, then the NGO is as good as dead.
They rely on donations from businesses, Governments and offshore institutions that dish out the money with the hope that the money will be used as for the causes as would be clarified in the proposals requesting such money.
NGOs are expected to assist and compliment Government.
They are expected to fill the gaps and in some areas ensure that Government lives by the ideals as promise during elections.
But as we know, great amount of money donated to NGOs never makes its way to intended recipients.
The money ends up swindled at the secretariat where it is used to pay hefty salaries, buy luxury cars or at luxury hotels and lodges where flashy parties and workshops are hosted.
Is it any wonder that NGOs have lost respect and the moral standing they used to enjoy in the past when they were organisations that went out of their way to make meaningful impacts in the daily lives of the weak and disadvantaged members of our society?
In Botswana the situation veered out of control with the advent of HIV/AIDS.
Everyone, including foreigners, descended on the country promising to help in one way or another.
All sorts of NGOs were created.
Careers and whole industries were created as the international donor community generously responded to SOS calls, especially by Botswana Government to help with capacity building.
Sadly, a big chunk of the money never reached the people who needed help most: people living with HIV/AIDS and those taking care of them.
A lesson has to be learnt from therein.
In Botswana the situation of bad NGOs has become so pervasive that we are forced to surmise that it is only second to the proliferation of corn artists who pass for Christian leaders in this country.
Under normal circumstances we would be tempted to challenge BOCONGO – the umbrella body of NGOs to do something with the situation.
But these are not ordinary times.
BOCONGO is itself suffering from exactly the same disease afflicting its affiliates; talk of rotting at the head.
We loath to say it, not least because it would defeat the very purpose for which NGOs were founded, but if the situation continues like this it will not be long before Government steps in with measures that will predictably be named draconian and meddling.
