Tambula digs in for Ftown West

Unlike his peers who on retirement head for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Shathiso Tambula has opted for the rough and tumble of opposition politics, joining the moribund Botswana Peoples Party (BPP). Under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) ticket, he recently got the nod to represent the coalition at the coming Francistown West by-election
Ahead of the by-election slated for November 23 which is a result of the death of former MP Tshelang Masisi, Shathiso Tambula, the soft spoken educationist, does not hide his worry that the wrangling within one of the coalition members, the Botswana National Front (BNF), is distracting the coalition political course.
“Obviously the issues at BNF are worrying us. There are challenges at the BNF that are delaying our political processes such as registration of the election symbol and its marketing,” said Tambula explaining that for the November 23 by-election, the coalition will use the BPP symbol because UDC symbol┬áis not yet registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
He further said UDC secretary-general, Gomolemo Motswaledi, has been mandated to facilitate communication between and among coalition members so that no member of the pact is left behind as regards the coalition activities.
“We are satisfied that we have been getting regular updates including internal communication that I will am representing the umbrella at the by-election,” said Tambula.
Asked why he chose BPP for a political home, he replied that there has been a trend that retirees opted to join the BDP as it is endowed with massive resources which made it easy for one to be elected as either a Member of Parliament or a councillor.
“Others joined the BDP searching for business opportunities and consequently win tenders. There are also prospects for diplomatic posting if one joins the BDP. This extends to opportunities of being offered lucrative jobs to head parastatals,” said Tambula.
Notwithstanding the various opportunities associated with joining the ruling BDP, Tambula said he opted to join opposition politics because he subscribes to the philosophy of equality for all as espoused by the opposition especially the BPP which from time immemorial advocated for equality in which no Motswana is superior than the other.
“Our republican constitution advocates for equality for all. At formation the BPP was unequivocal to ensure that all the land in possession by a few like Tati Company, British South Africa Company and all other major landholders in places like Ghanzi and Tuli Block should be redistributed hence its slogan of “lefatshe”. It is not even clear how these land holders acquired it when ordinary Batswana were rendered landless. That appealed to me. It is an issue that still needs to be addressed today for all to enjoy the fruits of our democracy,” said Tambula.
He explained that the BDP won the first general election in 1965 because it was sponsored by the rich foreign farmers who wanted to safeguard their interests against the BPP whose policies were clear that first and foremost it was going to address the land issue.
“How that land was acquired by these people is a question that remains unanswered today. We need a party that will be able to address this imbalance because it is not desirable that ordinary Batswana are landless while large portions of land are in the hands of a few. The issue of land redistribution for national purposes should top our agenda,” said Tambula.
He adds that the excuse of lack of financial resources is without substance because if the ruling party had started implementing some of these projects in phases, they would be complete by now.
For him, it is a clear ploy by the BDP to establish sub-districts within principal districts because sub-districts do not enjoy any autonomy. “These are some of the issues that when some of us could be elected to parliament, we will vehemently fight against. We believe in fully fledged administrative centres which are autonomous and┬ánot sub-let to the so-called major tribes or centres,” lamented Tambula.
He also takes a gripe that developments are skewed towards so-called major tribal capitals and towns. “Areas like Tutume are not being developed despite that they cover wide areas. There is no reason why they can’t be declared fully fledged administrative centres instead of the current status quo of sub-districts. Look at the police station in Tutume and compare it to the one in Palapye. The disparity is just too high. This speaks volumes on how skewed┬ádevelopments are distributed. The same applies to hospitals. These are issues that we at the BPP and umbrella want addressed urgently. The issues of equitable distribution of national resources underpin our campaign,” said Tambula.
On why he decided to throw his hat in the Francistown West constituency, Tambula said although he is originally from Nswazwi village, Francistown is second home and he must therefore play a menanignful role in ensuring that it is developed.
“Issues affecting Francistown are close to my heart. As a Member of Parliament, one deals with national and constituency issues. The choice of Francistown does not constrain one from canvassing national issues. This place needs effective representation which it has been denied for too long. BDP MPs in this part of the country do not care whether these places are getting the necessary development attention. They just do not care,” said Tambula.
For Tambula, it is a shame that a location as big as Gerald Estates does not have a junior and senior secondary school. “This just goes to demonstrate the extent to which the BDP government does not take education seriously and as a priority. Education develops children and this does not augur well for people in that area that their children have to walk such long distances to and fro school. By the time these children arrive at school, they are already fatigued. Others are dropping out and the failure rate is high. This is a challenge that needs to be tackled henceforth lest these innocent children end up destitute like their parents,” said the educationist.
While using Gerald as an example, he decries that the locations does not have services like shopping centres as its inhabitants are forced to access most services from town which is far away.”This location is bereft of social amenities and this applies to most parts of Francistown West. This is the time for the electorates in this constituency to rise up and elect a representative who will push their agenda. Francistown West needs somebody who will be able to articulate their aspirations and needs. I am such a person and it would be unfortunate if they do not take this opportunity to elect me to represent them,” said Tambula.
Since he has been part of the failing education system, why does he all of a sudden think he can turn the tide? He replies that that there is an education policy that is not formulated by implementers as they are limited to making recommendations which are never approved.
“Within the system, one is constrained from doing what he perceives to be real because he has to follow the beaten path. We need to return to education with production if we are to exalt this economy to great heights”, said Tambula adding that focus should shift heavily towards beneficiation and processing to facilitate imports substitution.
“There is no reason why we continue to export raw materials that could be processed locally and in turn create jobs for our people. By exporting raw materials, we are by extension exporting the various jobs to those countries that do the processing. There has to be a complete mind set change to ensure that right things are done in order to diversify our economy. Beneficiation and processing will not only create jobs. From the surplus that our market does not absorb, we will be able to┬áexport and generate revenue for our economy,” said the educationist adding that it is disgusting that Botswana still faces power deficits when it has the largest coal reserves in the world.
“All these point to lack of prudent planning. The BDP is exhausted and it is time that the electorate vote for an innovative party that will be able to steer the economy forward,” he said.
Tambula is worried that two opposition parties are contesting the by-election. He┬ásaid it is unfortunate that Botswana Congress Party withdrew from the umbrella project. “It is disadvantaging the voter if we are not fighting in the same corner. It is the ordinary person who suffers because of our failure to cooperate. I appreciate that BCP is entitled to do things its own way but it is not good for the ordinary person who wants to dislodge the ruling party,” said Tambula.
In conclusion he said a lot of electoral and constitutional reforms are needed in Botswana including direct election of the president, political party funding and others that will help enhance the country’s democratic credentials.