Without doubt, individuals’ right to associate with any political formation of their choice is non-negotiable. This is so because our very own constitution, the supreme law of the land, has bestowed this right for enjoyment by all.
However, we take issue with the rate at which our society’s morals on hard work and meritocracy have been eroded by a culture of placing partisan inclinations over anything else.
Our society has turned into a community of partisan enthusiasts.
At every corner, there seems to be a perception that one is not complete until and unless they flip a ruling party membership card. Gone are the days when entrepreneurs used to set up companies and excelled without a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) tag.
There is a tendency to wave the political party card at the expense of all other relevant factors, notably merit. Our society has been hit by a plague of seeking to ingratiate itself to the ruling party without care.
For many Batswana partisan inclination has become the ‘main determinant’. Social exchanges over national discourse are also crawling towards dogmatic and intolerant, partisan interests. People can no longer have a rational exchange of ideas that is independent of their political leaning.
It is no longer enough to work hard and do an exceptional job. It appears as if for one to advance one’s career or build a business empire, one has to go the extra mile of waving the political party card.
All this has eroded good morals of hard work being the key to a splendid career or a booming business enterprise.
By way of example, at the University of Botswana, many of the country’s academia who supplement their earnings with government consultancy projects subscribe to the view that the only way to get such work is to join the ruling party.
This culture is extremely prevalent in the private sector where many captains of industry and other figures in the corporate world usually jump onto the BDP bandwagon immediately at the peak of their careers.
Least we are construed to be preaching an anti BDP campaign, our concern is this overreliance on partisan inclinations. We need to seriously ponder on what impression these people are saying about Intelligence, Education, credentials, tested competence and their ability.
Let’s face it, partisan politics can never be a cardinal point when it comes to nation building. In fact, the passage of time has shown that one of the disadvantages that come with political formation is that political parties, despite being vehicles for democracy, are by their nature divisive.
From this premise it is also important to assess whether such a culture is serving the country well and the implications for future generations.
Shelving merit in favour of political affiliation will take this country down the drain. If this culture continues unabated, then future generations stand to inherit a shattered, unproductive country that values political ties over competence, professionalism and merit.
Our view, therefore, is that this emerging culture needs to be strongly discouraged. People should begin to rationalize and engage in debates and discourse without being blurred by political leaning.
People must make sure that their conduct is above reproach. Their professional integrity should never raise eyebrows. The same goes for business people and many others who believe business patronage only comes as a consequence of the political affiliation and not because of their effort and hard work.
This is wrong and must be discouraged; we cannot build a vibrant and productive society if we relegate merit and personal competence to the back seat.
Business owners and many entrepreneurs that the country is banking on, especially on economic diversification have to strive to build competitive institutions instead of banking on the notion that their political relationship is the key to growing their enterprises.
