We have just come out of one of the most challenging democratic elections in the history of this country.
In the past few years, some of Botswana’s democratic ideals were challenged. Ideals that we have in the past taken for granted. We saw the introduction of institutions like the Directorate on Intelligence and Security. While such an institution on its own is welcome, we frown upon government’s refusal to institute an oversight parliamentary body to monitor the DIS operations as a monstrosity.
Other Acts, like the Media Practitioners’ Act, are also examples of how our democratic principles are being eroded. We saw the brutal killing of civilians rising exponentially, and yet no one has been brought to book.
Across the borders, the plight of Zimbabweans continues to worsen by the day.
All these are examples that, maybe, there is something that we are not doing right in our country. While the media and political parties have been at the forefront of the cries about the erosion of our democratic principles, it is disheartening that the same cannot be said about our civil society organizations.
Our NGOs have become mute. They are voiceless, and they hardly comment on events as they unfold in our country. It must be noted that civil society organisations are there to comment when our government does not do right by its citizens.
We want a robust and active civil society that will speak out and stand up to be counted. The responsibility of guarding and nurturing our democracy is not for the political parties and the media alone; all key players must come to the party and stand up to be counted. The impact of civil society organizations on the political decision making process must be felt throughout the country.
For women around the world, domestic violence and discrimination in employment are a daily reality.
Minorities suffer stigma, discrimination, and violence in developed and developing countries. The right to information is denied to millions through censorship and media intimidation.
It has been alleged that some of the civil society organizations only take on cases that will attract hype and, by extension, sponsorships. This should not be allowed. We believe that all these NGO’s are allocated funds with the hope that they will make a change in peoples’ lives.
In the past, we have heard of civil society chiefs being suspended or fired from work because of misappropriation of funds. Donors who sponsor civil society organizations do that with the hope that they will use the money to change the lives of the ordinary citizens for the better, not to line their pockets as is increasingly the case in Botswana. The civil society organizations must work hard to re-earn the trust that they have lost from the public. They must justify their sponsorships. They must be seen to be key players in our democracy. They must be seen to be key stakeholders in the fight against poverty, HIV-Aids, women empowerment and oppression. They must be seen and heard. Not just by making press releases in response to events as they unfold in the nation, but by acting to help out. They must be proactive.
Some of Botswana’s NGOs are reportedly personal fiefdoms or family owned businesses. With prudent management, NGOs have the capacity to make a positive impact on the lives of the people. They can compliment government programs and have far reaching effects, especially since they have their fingertips on the pulse of the community.
Many of our NGO’s are silent, comatose and inactive.
It is time they wake up from their slumber.
