I am disappointed. Actually I am pissed off. Just before Christmas we received the sad news of the collapse of the opposition cooperation. Four opposition political parties spent the better part of 2011 selling to the nation what they termed the Umbrella. It has now become apparent the nation was being sold a dummy. Indications are the possibility of a united opposition is as unlikely as pigs flying. What a shame! What a disgrace. What a lost opportunity. You see, what irks me the most is not the collapse of the talks per se but the way these opposition guys have played with our emotions, crashed our hopes and abused our goodwill. Some of us had good intentions and meant well when we unflinchingly supported opposition cooperation. For me really it was immaterial who stood where in parliamentary constituencies because the intention was to get opposition into power knowing very well all opposition guys will be in the ‘mix’ and have a contribution in government, one way or the other because honestly you don’t necessarily have to be an MP to contribute to the government and the nation.
For the first time in the history of our politics, Batswana appeared ready for change of government. Opposition parties hyped our hopes and fooled us into believing more than ever before, this time they were ready to parade as an alternative government. For some of us who are nauseated by the BDP’s arrogant and reckless rule, we had pinned our hopes on opposition parties. It now appears we prematurely rejoiced at the honeymoon before the wedding took off. Look, the BDP has played its part. The BDP has delivered the good and the bad of its governance and it was only plausible and proper that after 50 years at the helm they make way for other parties to rule this country. We are yearning for change. It therefore pains some of us when the question of which opposition party can be identified as the alternative government because clearly, none is yet ready to take over from the BDP. All I see in all our opposition parties is immaturity and lack of foresight. How can they fail to take power from the BDP when Ian Khama has made it so easy for them?
You’re probably asking yourself how Khama has made it easy for our opposition. Well, I will need the entire newspaper space including the sports section if I were to mention all that Khama has done or not done which our opposition parties can use to justify to Batswana why they should not vote for the BDP in the next elections. Infact, in my interactions with many Batswana, they do not even need anyone to justify to them why the Khama distraction deserves the boot in the next general elections. Their main worry is, who can they usher in to replace Khama and his BDP? The answer becomes very hard because our opposition parties are refusing to be serious so as to be taken seriously. They seem content and happy with being in opposition.
Theoretically Botswana is not a one party state but practically that is exactly what we have here. We cannot even blame the ruling party for the status quo. No. Fingers must be pointed at our opposition parties who always fail to rise above self interest, immaturity and are lazy to think outside the box and appreciate the bigger picture that can be drawn from working together. Our opposition leadership has an insatiable appetite for power, which in itself is a good thing, but they always miss out on the opportunity to grab this power.
How immature and stupid can our opposition parties be to fail a simple task of sharing constituencies. I am still surprised that guys in opposition believe that only a parliamentary seat guarantees power, prestige and personal gratification. Silly! There are so many political appointments for a ruling party that our power hungry opposition guys cannot even fill up without giving some to the BDP were they to take over from it.
History shows that many governments were toppled after the split of the ruling party. Khama gave opposition parties that platform by breaking the BDP. Khama deserves a pat on the back for igniting politics in our people. Ever since he came into power, Batswana have become politically conscious.
Gone are the days when the majority of us were apolitical. Khama has brought a lot of disgruntlement to a lot of Batswana and one would have expected our opposition parties to cash in on his blunders and heartlessness. For the first time in the history of our school leavers’ examinations, it was Khama’s administration that had students write their exams under appalling circumstances and conditions not conducive for examinations in a country such as ours which claims to attach a lot of value on education. Those students who sat for form 3 and form 5 examinations will be eligible to vote in the next elections and I can guarantee you they do not want the BDP government and now their predicament is who should they vote in place of the BDP. Khama has irked alcohol consumers and continues to make fun of them in his Kgotla meetings. Khama has literally shut down the entertainment industry and in the process trampling on people’s civil liberties. It is a fact we have a large number of alcohol consumers and those who eke a living out of it. Khama has stepped on their toes and these people are ready to kick him out of the State House, only they are struggling to identify his replacement because our opposition leaders do not seem ready to fly the OK1.If you thought Khama only terrorized those in urban areas through his ‘ban’ on alcohol you better think twice. The rural folks are also crying as Khama has now barred them from selling traditional beer from their homes. Now Khama has pressed the wrong button by pissing off the very people who we are told he counts his support on. The sad thing is, these people may reluctantly end up voting Khama back into power because our opposition parties are failing to prove their worth. Mxm!
 
[email protected]
