Going down memory lane, Ndadi who is now a Managing partner at the Ndadi Law Firm says that recalls that “I would say to myself, ‘Uyapo, don’t stress, you are probably ahead of their time by 20years, they will get there and understand you some day’.”
He also remembers that “It was not easy. There were times where I found myself isolated because people don’t get my vision.”
At one point, dignitaries including President Ian Khama and ambassadors gathered for the World AIDS Day in Moshupa village a few years ago were left with their mouths agape as security agents snatched documents from their hands. The event was going well until BONELA officers started circulating a statement titled: ‘Ten Reasons Why Botswana Will Not Achieve Zero HIV Infections’ to
The drama that unfolded that day had the hallmarks of a rehearsed stage performance; people serving drinks and snacks to dignitaries, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP 2010) annual report being distributed, BONELA staff sneaking in and distributing documents to dignitaries including the then Presidential Affairs Minister Mokgweetsi Masisi.
But as he recalls that event, Ndadi does not apologise for what the government believed was an embarrassing international gaffe. By his own account, it was a strategy to make President Khama who seemed to be remote from the issues of HIV/AIDS as he had delegated the functions of chairing the National AIDS Council to former president, Festus Mogae, to reconsider his stance.
“I remember catching the government of guard a few years ago at the World AIDS Day by petitioning the President before he spoke. He had to deal with the petition on the spot and it was exciting,” recalls Ndadi.
At the time Masisi was offended and believed that BONELA had crossed the line as he ordered government security agents to retrieve the documents from dignitaries.
“You can’t just distribute a statement where the president is sitting like ‘o phakisa bananyana dilekere’ (giving children sweets),” said Masisi at the time.
But Ndadi believes their conduct was part of his organisation’s advocacy and they were exercising their right to freedom of expression. He also lobbied Members of Parliament to reject modify or accept policies and laws. According BONELA’ s chairman, Tshiamo Rantao, Ndadi has developed the jurisprudence of Botswana’s legal system by working on cases of HIV dismissals at the workplace, wrongful HIV diagnosis and invasion of privacy.
Ndadi joined BONELA at a time when HIV-based employment discrimination was rampant in the country and he needed that challenge. His mission was to restore the dignity of people who have faced abuse at some point in their lives; for example getting someone his or her job back after being fired from work for being HIV positive.
Another milestone he mentions is that despite his continued war of words with authorities, his input in the society did not go unnoticed.
“Challenging decision makers to think outside the box and face reality brought me joy. I relished getting leaders such as Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Mompati Merafhe and Mogae to talk about issues of condoms in prisons, sex workers and homosexuality,” says Ndadi.
He has also crossed swords with religious leaders over the contentious issue of legalising homosexuality.
“The churches also made pronouncements on these issues. I enjoyed the drama that came with my work as well. The battles in various court rooms brought me joy as well,” says Ndadi.
The legacy that Ndadi wanted to leave behind was that of an organisation that had to be emulated internationally.
“….When I travel in the region I find BONELA to be far ahead in terms of the issues it deals with. It is a best practice that has to be emulated internationally or regionally at least,” he says.
When he announced his impending departure from the organisation his workmates were under the impression that it was one of his daily jokes until Board Chairperson Tshiamo Rantao confirmed the announcement during one of the staff meetings.
“Well, it was unexpected and they were speechless. In fact, the news was broken by my Board Chairperson Mr. Tshiamo Rantao. I invited the Chairperson because I feared that some may think am joking as I typically relax and have fun with them. At BONELA we are serious about work and not serious about ourselves. So they thought I was just being playful,” says Ndadi.
His take is that no leader should serve at the helm for more than five years in any capacity. He says continuing to serve beyond the five years stifles both the individual and the body or entity growth.
“Fresh challenges revive the passion and take one to new and unprecedented heights. As much as people appreciated what I did and do for BONELA, I felt it was time and BONELA needed another person to propel it further,” says Ndadi.
Asked if BONELA helped him to fulfil his career goals, Ndadi says “I surpassed them. Fulfil is an understatement. I agree with those who say BONELA has fast forwarded me. I have matured and became a better person at BONELA.”
BONELA also helped him not to be judgemental. “I have learnt not to judge at BONELA and have seen the world at BONELA and learnt from it. I have learnt how to lead and manage people, which is a skill or trait that most lawyers don’t have. Generally, people think lawyers are bad employers, and I agree,” he says.
For the man whose name has been synonymous with BONELA, he was also instrumental in guiding the Board to help find his successor. “Ultimately it was their call but I told them not to look for a ‘Uyapo Ndadi’ but for a person who in their own right will find their niche and take BONELA further. I am happy they found Cindy Kelemi who is a complete activist and visionary,” he says.
He believes he will take advocacy and human rights activism to another level.
“I hope I will have the opportunity to deal with a variety of matters and help many people of various backgrounds with human rights matters. There are so many cases I would like to do before I die and I hope I get clients presenting such issues,” he says.
Ndadi who has been honoured as an outstanding Top Ten Young Person of The World, and was specifically recognised by USA President Barack Obama by inviting his input on the role of young people in the Africa- USA relations says he will not only be dealing with human rights matters as a practicing private attorney.
His interests also include labour law, domestic violence, divorce, medical malpractice and helping people to buy and sell property. He called on Batswana stop being activists on social networks such as twitter and Facebook only.
“We need to speak out publicly about things that concern us. We seem to be too smart to take to the streets to show our disdain for certain things we always lament about. The Civil society needs to unite and so is the opposition. We are all responsible for the state of affairs in Botswana,” Ndadi says.
