In April 1 2008 when Ian Khama became the President of Botswana there were heightened jubilation and excitment from many Batswana. The reaction was shocking given the fact that as Vice President Khama never demonstrated any democratic credintials to talk about. There was no reason to expect him to change. Some of us who attempted to alert the nation that the Khama presidency was going to be disastrous were labelled as unpatriotic. That our views about Khama was driven by bitterness, jelousy and shere hatred of the man..
At the time I authored a series of articles including one entitled “Bye bye democracy, welcome dictatorship”, followed by another under the title “Bye bye Botswana, welcome Africa.” The thrust of both articles was to express my serious concerns about Khama’s leadership style, fearful that it will ultimately take us to where we are today.
I would like to salute my mentor Michael Dingake as well as Kenneth Dipholo who are among some of our greatest patriots ÔÇô bold men who would not blink when democracy and the rule of law are undermined. Today some of the President Khama”s cronies who used to shout at them are walking with their heads down in shame.
In my view president Khama did not disappoint. Under his government Batswana live in fear. We now know that corruption, looting and nepotism are a way of live in Botswana today. Thanks to a Parliament that has discovered its power and strength though limited. After 46 years parliament is now in real action. Under the leadership of Margeret Nasha parliament has demonstrated that it can perform its overseight role without fear or favour. Khama and his cronies in cabinet and outside can ignore it at their own peril. The Nation must support parliament to reign in our government that is abusive, arrogant and secretive. Khama’s strategy of diverting the nation’s attention by his populist programs and quad bike antics must never be allowed to succeed. He must walk the road to Syria alone.
Recent developments have brought into sharp focus the whole debate around the issue of patriotism. The president and his cronies believe that it is unpatriotic to tell the whole world that corruption, nepotism and looting have reached unprecedented proportions in Botswana. They behave like an abusive husband who after physically abusing his wife pleads with her not to tell relatives and neighbours to protect the family from shame. when Botswana was “the shining example of democracy” the whole world was told. In the same vein the whole world must be told when things move from bad to worse as is the case today. The best way for the government to avoid bad publicity and shame is to behave in a democratic and transparent manner not to hide things under the carpet.
We have to salute the private media for doing an excellent job in the fight against corruption, nepotism and looting through their persistent reporting without fear or favor. Theirs is a noble job of a mere messenger. They are doing their patriotic duty. They are doing it for the love of this country. Strange enough Khama and his cronies believe that by hiding information from the public the state media is being patriotic. Many would disagree. Calls for the private media to reconcile with Khama are misguided and must be ignored. We know what happened to a former opposition politician who talked about reconciliation and the road to Denmark.
Part of the problem we are facing today is a result of a government that thinks that their individual interest is synonymous with national interest. Government spends tax payers money on commissions of enquiry and task forces the report of which are never made public. They always hide under the flimpsy reason that it is not in the national interest to make such reports public.
Reports of the Special Select Committee of Members of Parliament investigating the Palapye Glass Project and another Parliamentary Committee on Parastatal and Statutory Bodies have exposed the rot within state institutions involving powerful people with strong connections to the ruling party. Parliament must be commended for practicing transperancy and good governmence in making its reports public. They are also showing accountability which is an important tenet of democracy.
What is worrying is that a lot of corruption, nepotism and looting is taking place right infront of Khama’s eyes and he prefers to look the other way ÔÇô to see no eveil and hear no evil. Inaction has characterised his style of leadership. When the country is burning and hurting he goes into hiding. He has ignored calls to relief Ministers Kenneth Matambo and Ndelu Seretse of their ministerial duties after they were charged for corruption and conflict of interest. The two have remained senior ministers in his government and continue to be addressed as honorables. This sends a wrong signinal to the nation that under Khama’s rule corruption is rewarded. Reports from the weekend papers indicate that another minister may be appearing in court on corruption charges.
In countries that take issues of good governance seriously leaders who are accused of misconduct resign from their positions to save their institutions, not because they have been found guilty.
Unter the present government it is unclear whether individuals are given powerful positions like being ministers because they are corrupt or they are corrupt because they happen to be ministers ÔÇô what comes first is the real question.
The time for Khama to demonstrate his patriotism is now! In this difficult times the country needs a bold, decisive, and aggressive president to deal with looters and corrupt individuals.
Kesitegile Gobotswang, PhD
BCP Secretary General
