September 30th, 2016 was supposed to be a day that would unite all the citizens of this country as we celebrated an immensely significant milestone that would drive us all to set our differences aside.
That is the day when this country would be turning 50 years as an independent country.
For any country, that would be a big deal worth celebrating.
Yet as that date fast approaches, it would seem like every citizen, instead of taking their knife back into the sheath and keeping it away, we now are unsheathing our knives as we brace ourselves to slit open each other’s throat.
As that date approaches the level of polarity in our public discourse is reaching altogether unprecedented levels.
It is saddening to watch that instead of celebrating those things that unite us, we are busy cultivating and nurturing the grievances that divide us and draw us further and further apart.
What is most ironic is the fact that a committee that was put up together with the aim of steering this country towards the jubilee now seems to be at the centre of tearing us apart.
It would be another thing if BOT50 was accused of lethargy in its organization.
But in this instance there is near consensus that BOT50, or at least some of its members are involved in systemic corruption through the contracts and tenders of the preparations.
These accusations and allegations, instead of being addressed by BOT50 or those managing it as its principals, have been met with disdain for those making the allegations and in some instances self-defence that have effectively amounted to impunity.
There is a near groundswell of public opinion that BOT50 is mismanaging the preparations towards September 30th deadline.
There is also a near consensus that BOT50 or at least some of its members are through their companies, their allies and proxies literally stripping for their benefit the resources that were set for the celebration.
The concern, which has not been sufficiently addressed, is that BOT50 has become a cesspool of corruption. And that on account of mismanagement and a lack of clear overall oversight, including political guidance, the vultures are now feeding into the carcass leaving the white bones.
It is a case of setting a wolf to watch over the chicken roost.
If the public is right in its analysis then BOT50 has become an irredeemable cesspool of corruption.
Engaging each is one area where the accusers and the accused have consistently failed.
The accused say the accusers are crying wolf, while the accusers say the accused are driven by a deep-seated sense of entitlement that is a result cronyism that first got them appointed.
One way to get over the gridlock is for those in authority to intervene and allay the fears of those who feel the 50th celebrations are a festival party for a select few.
That means wading in forcefully to insist on transparency on how money for the celebrations have been spent.
Otherwise what was supposed to be a unifying moment will be a lightning rod for disunity.
