I respect people who are brave enough to follow their convictions without fear of possible nasty outcomes. No man should be afraid of another man when it comes to pursuit of life endeavours. Men should just respect each other and not fear each other. I have written here before expressing how disgusting it is for grown up men in the BDP to fear just one man, President Ian Khama. No, they don’t respect him. They fear him. They fear him so much they are even scared to declare their political aspirations until and unless he gives them the go ahead to do so. I have never seen a person who makes men want to wet their pants the way Khama does to his colleagues in the BDP. Just look at how it has been difficult for them to come out in the open and declare their political ambitions even as Khama’s presidency comes to an end. Some of them are said to have gone and asked for Khama’s approval before they could throw in their names. Only fear can make people to ask for Khama’s permission because if it was just out of respect, then it would have been just to inform Khama, out of courtesy. Khama ascended the presidency and chose his team without these people’s input yet they now want him to have an input on their political future. How embarrassing! Just how do you go to your wife and tell her, ‘’Mmaabo I really want to become president or chairman of the BDP but I’m still going to seek approval from Ian”. I agree whole heartedly that botho dictates that you need to inform Khama as the outgoing leader about your intentions to contest for a central committee position. However, you do not need to seek his approval. In fact even if you don’t tell him about your intentions there shouldn’t be any problem because he is the one who has taught Batswana how meaningless consultation is. Even if you do not extend that botho to him, it is still ok because he has taught us that for as long as it is constitutional there is no need to adhere to societal dictates of principle and morality. He has enacted many laws that are unprincipled but constitutional. Anyway back to Masisi. I just smiled when I read in the weekend newspapers how Masisi defied Khama’s instruction not to defend his chairmanship of the BDP. Finally, I said to myself, Masisi is no longer a sissy. I remember how I once castigated Masisi for being a coward. At the time, it was reported that Masisi had told a gathering about how he is going to be a better president. Masisi quickly came out to distance himself from that statement after people started insinuating he meant he was going to be better than Khama. In my view, there was nothing wrong with Masisi coming out to pledge to Batswana that he will do better than Khama. Actually that is what people want to hear. As the incoming leader, you need to tell your people, even if you are lying, that you will do better than the incumbent. Masisi got so scared of having declared he will serve this country better that Khama. I was really disappointed and he had lost my respect because I have no respect for men who fear other men. With his reported defiance towards Khama’s instructions, Masisi has redeemed himself. I salute him. I respect him. The constitution allows him to stand for chairmanship and as such Khama has no business thwarting his ambitions. I understand Masisi’s initial fear of Khama. He was scared that should he rub Khama the wrong way, he would then kiss the vice presidency goodbye. His fear was fuelled by his knowledge on how his colleagues in parliament are cowards and would not stop Khama from removing him from the vice presidency. Yep, should Khama decide to drop Masisi as his deputy, all those cowards in parliament will just sit there like chickens suffering from mareks disease and not stop Khama from being vengeful towards Masisi. I respect Masisi for he followed his heart despite the possible ramifications. Masisi’s move should inspire other BDP members that everyone in the party has a right to stand for any leadership position with or without the blessing of Khama. Bona hela gore right now the only person who has boldly come out to declare his candidature for chairmanship is Masisi while others are probably still trying to see if they have the support of Rraetsho. Khama needs to accept that his term is coming to an end and he should not try and influence the makeup of the team that will be taking over from him. It is time for Masisi to sell himself to Batswana so they know what he is bringing with his regime. It is time for Masisi’s family to prepare for life as first citizens and he should not be shy or apologetic about his imminent jackpot. By now his wife ought to be busy shopping around for household items that will transform the State House into a home that has a woman in it. Masisi’s wife should be busy acquainting herself with the roles of a first lady because unlike her husband, she is not going to find an official woman to hand over to her.
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