Life be it in a democracy or in other spheres of influence, it is never as smooth as people would understand it. It is like rough, undulating seas and oceans so deep that even the modern technology cannot detect targets on the sea bed.
It is only in the nature of things that hidden situations would surface with time. As a result of this, shockwaves would naturally traverse lengths and breaths of our habitat and create fear. A government is set up to create an enabling environment so that business is conducted in a proper and more civilised way.
Supporting structures such as Directorate of Intelligence Service (DIS), Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), The Ombudsman etc. Have been put in place so that there arechecks and balances in the day to day operations of government. Ideally, these institutions are accordingly meant to satisfy the needs of every Motswana but not to serve and protect the interests of greedy individuals.
It is highly likely that the institutions referred to are not doing enough to convince Batswana that they are doing as mandated. In a democracy, transparency should prevail at all times, obviously Batswana deserve the right to know operations of all institutions as the constitution of the land dictates. Batswana have invested a lot of money in these institutions so that they function as directed. When government employees demand for an increase in their remuneration they should understand fully for as long as the responses are genuine and convincing. However, the unfolding situations about improper handling of public funds in the media create doubts in the minds of many Batswana.
Accounting officers in institutions alluded to should without hesitation inform Batswana on recent allegations of misuse of public funds. Botswana is going to the polls in October 2014, political parties have come up with well designed manifestos. These have been presented to the electorate to digest so that they can make the right choices when the moment arises. It should be noted, however that the electorate should have trust on the parties presented before them.
If issues put before the electorate are convincing but trust is lacking, what then is the expectation? It is high time we dismiss the saying that ‘Batswana are an understanding nation’, for as long as some influential characters in government do things out of the way, Batswana will doubt their integrity. Always remember! that the ‘slightest mistake’ that one makes, no matter how minute it may be, events of the day could be turned 360 degrees. Party colours (uniforms, flags, mementos and other party materials) cannot convince the electorate particularly if the element of trust is lacking.
Some high ranking officers in government are genuinely making an effort to help improve the lives of Batswana, but there are some characters whose lack of direction and proper discipline will undoubtedly compromise the good course that government is following. During the war of independence in many countries the world over, men and women have put their people’s interest first, but what is surfacing nowadays is the economic interest of individuals. The ‘high office’ in the land should ideally be surrounded by men and women who have been ‘circumcised’. But what we see now are the likes of ‘Karanjas’ who take advantage of situations to please themselves.
In a democracy a stable government should create an environment that should provide it’s citizenry freedom of movement, freedom of speech etc. Lack of accountability by high offices in a state can lead to chaos andinstability, particularly when the general public is not provided with answers they need. Public revenue play an important role in the economic development of a nation whether a government is dictatorial or otherwise. More often than not, nations are reminded by the leadership that planned projects cannot be done because of lack of money. It is a shocking experience to learn that public funds are not provided for but are deviated to areas of individual interests. If indeed this is so, what lessons ought to be learned by our youth today. In recent times we talk about rough times bedevilling small and big nations, these situations should provide an opportunity for nations including Botswana to take stock of themselves.
Democracy should not be seen to be cosmetic, in the right context, Botswana should be rated a typical example of a democracy. Christopher Columbus had to say this before he died in 1506 ‘After twenty years of toil and peril, I do not own a roof in Spain’.
