Friday, November 1, 2024

Next elections will be won by masters of Setswana

Like many Batswana, I have never been keen on politics ÔÇô until now, that is. That decision was made for me.

Politics found me, they chose me. One could no longer stay on the fence since the fence had been removed. There are no longer grey areas anymore ÔÇô it has now become a matter of black and white.
A friendly advice from a long time friend is that I should master the art of bolope to successfully navigate the current status quo. Unfortunately I have never considered such individual debasement and personal humiliation seriously.

How am I to face my boys tomorrow and tell them of principle and the pride of fighting on what I consider the side of right? I am aware that the choice of speaking out can have negative consequences.

I still have very traumatic memories of Pono Moatlhodi sobbing, crying, weeping and wailing because he dared speak out. Pono is a good man, a good speaker with an immeasurable sense of humour; but he suffered unspeakable humiliation ÔÇô a matter which still is the object of my nightmares to this day.
I was recently at a rally in Mochudi where I heard three electric speakers; Mr Kabo Morwaeng, Mr. Wynter Molotsi and Mr. Gomolemo Motswaledi. Their political arguments have received much press attention and I won’t discuss them here.

But it was when these eloquent men (I am surprised they are called youngsters in some quarters) spoke that it hit me that the next elections will be won on the mastery of the Setswana language.
A relationship must be drawn between the ability to speak Setswana well and political capital. The knowledge of excellent Setswana pays and pays well.

Those who lack the Setswana linguistic sophistication will lose out eventually since Setswana is still one of the principal ways of reaching Batswana. Unfortunately English will not come to any one’s rescue. English’s impact will be minimal.

Boko knows this; that is why although he speaks exciting and colourful English he has been speaking decent Setswana in political gatherings. Even on private radio stations such as Gabzfm and Dumafm the repeated request is for politicians to use Setswana.

This is because of two main reasons: many Batswana are half literate in English and understand it partially. Second, Batswana, regardless of their educational background, love their language and understand it better.

They are aware that we are losing the ability to converse intelligently without code switching to English.

Politicians probably more than anybody else have grasped the importance of Setswana. When they campaign they use Setswana consistently since they understand that it is an effective tool of communication through which voters could be reached.

Yes, voters appreciate education ÔÇô but they are also sophisticated to appreciate intelligence. Ba kgona go bana seso se imelwa ke didegree. Voters expect their leaders to lead and demonstrate that their language can be used in a variety of domains with grace and impressive exactitude. Margaret Nasha, Pono Moatlhodi, PHK Kedikilwe, Daniel Kwelagobe and Quett Masire are some of those who possess the necessary mastery of Setswana on the ruling party side which could translate into immense political capital for the BDP.

Unfortunately, none of these interesting speakers are being heard in political circles winning hearts and minds for the ruling party. Currently there are many who speak for the ruling party, but speak, oh God, so poorly. They lack linguistic beauty ÔÇô the knowledge of Setswana idiom to capture and captivate their audience, the kind that I heard from Mr. Motswaledi, Mr. Molotsi and Mr. Morwaeng recently and the kind that I heard from mmina phiri, Sir Ketumile Masire a couple of years back.

They also lack the debating power of Mr. Salishando, Mr. Magang and Mr. Wynter Molotsi. They lack the cutting humour of Kenneth Koma, Paul Rantao and Maitshwarelo Dabutha.

What I see is stage managed gatherings, rows of confessions and pledges of eternal allegiance extracted from unwilling members of a party. I hear threats of war and declarations that some should cross the border if they want. Go tlaa sala mang tota, ka rotlhe golo gongwe re a go tswa? Bangwe ba tswa borwa, bokone, botsheka kgotsa botlhaba.

What is clear in all this confusion is that the battle will be won linguistically. Those who can speak with grace, clarity and beauty will be understood and will win the votes.

So it was interesting to hear Gaarekwe argue that BDP e lomilwe ke phepheng, ga se malomo a mokwepa referring to the BMD sting. Denial aside, it was enjoyable to hear, but it perhaps came a moment too late, perhaps as one has said, noga e ile, go setse moutlobu fela, it is maybe no wonder that mmina phiri a tlhapile diatla.

In these political debates a list of facts and statistics won’t cut it. Denials and counter-statements won’t do. Clusters of friends of the party and a team of the elders may help somewhere in the background. However, those who have to speak to the people must do so in the language and idiom that the audience appreciates and understands.

They should eschew the silly humour that is condescending to the intelligence of Batswana. While they may entertain the people through their unique dances, they must ensure that such dances don’t become more memorable than the political message itself.

Otherwise politics will degenerate into a circus. The debates must be robust and lucid, delivered in the tongue that people understand, with a punch of humour and cynicism that is sometimes important in public-square politics. The journey to 2014 looks exciting ÔÇô however I am afraid, like many things in this country, it may end after it had just begun.

Elections may be sooner than we had anticipated. We may have elections in 2011!

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