I have been out of town over the past couple of weeks. Life outside Gaborone, once again, proved therapeutic in many different ways. Yes, the bundus have something unique. Something very special ÔÇô it has an attraction to adventurous souls like me. I went to the Okavango Delta. Special would certainly be an understament of what that place is. It’s an oasis in the middle of our semi-arid desert. That place has the ability to bring out the best possible thoughts one would have about life. It proved a wonderful experience for me and my friends. And we did, obviously, agree to make an annual pilgrimage to the Delta. Like everything on earth our journey up north had to end. We called it a day and after a few pleasantries to our compatriots we said our goodbyes. Sadly, we left paradise and came back to hell.
The contemporary Botswana is undoubtedly a different place. We have embarked on a journey to nowhere. We are, as a people, headed for a cliff. And unfortunately, no one seems to care. It’s just business as usual. Indeed, we are a one kind of a people. Perhaps, a lost people better capture what we have become.
Are we still a united people who at the same time celebrate diversity? Are we still a developmental state, focused on developing our people with the state at the forefront? Are we still an Oasis of peace? Can we agree to differ? What about building consensus? These are but some of the questions that occupied my mind in my trip to the bundus. I am afraid, Botswana has lately become a toxic place under the sun. In fact, I have already started to worry about our future as a country. I do not think our children will find a solid and functional place to call home. What saddens me most is the casual way in which we deal with contemporary challenges that faces our nation. But exactly how did we come to reach this point? Before I concern myself with unravelling the million dollar question of how we found ourselves in this precarious state of affairs I thought I should reflect on recent development pointing to a failed state. Yes, we are just in a race to the end. A suicidal mission with no happy ending in sight. And the speed at which we have allowed ourselves to travel is nothing but scary. We are in a rollercoaster but few have an idea of the implications awaiting all of us when we reach the end. Like I indicated above, the purpose of this instalment is to reflect on contemporary issues that best demonstrate how we lost the plot as a nation.
In my absence I got a call from a friend this side of the moon if I have heard about the Panama Papers. I told him in clear terms that I did not know that place or anything related to it. He then immediately asked me to relax. Yes, Panama is a small stretch between South and North Americas. There was no way I was going to know that place! But because of greed, Panama has taken centre stage of global corruption and related ills. He told me our Judge President at the Court of Appeal was among those named in the Panama leaks. At first I thought he was playing monkey games on me. It turns out he was serious! When I came back I heard from media that high ranking members of societies in the West were already doing the honourable thing: resigning from their posts. The Icelandic Prime Minister, for example, tried to delay his departure but the public would not allow him to do as he wanted. He resigned before the rooster started crowing. This was taking responsibility. He ultimately had to take responsibility for personal decisions that failed him in the end. Here is a man who, after finding himself amongst a company of thieves, did the honourable thing: resigned.
What happens here? We get all sorts of excuses. I got tired of listening to his excuses on Gabzfm. As was the case in Iceland, this case was never about the legality or otherwise. It was always about moral questions. One newspaper had this to say beyond our borders, “The prime minister has not been accused of breaking any Icelandic law. No matter. The impression of a conflict of interest and of a lack of transparency was enough to bring him down.” What kind of leadership are we getting lately where people cannot distinguish between right and wrong? What happened to their moral compass?
But the worst part of developments that took place in our absence was when the president of the republic announced before poverty stricken population of Francistown that they would get developments if they continue voting for the opposition. It was the first time coming from those in seats of power. In the Sekoma by-election ministers were heard publicly threatening people with starvation and other related ills should they vote the opposition. How can the drivers of the land say such horrible statements? You get water provided you vote the ruling party. Even in dictatorial places in Africa such sentiments are hardly expressed publicly. We have lost the moral authority we used to portray in an otherwise failed continent. And now I know why Africa experiences all sorts of challenges. It has few leaders. People with interest of the mass at heart. What Africa has in abundance, is immoral leadership.
We need to hold our leadership to account. Unless they account to us, Botswana will become a divided nation. We will lose the spark, which provides light to others in our continent. We also need strong institutions so that governance, and I mean good governance, will again become the defining mark of our republic. Sadly, civil society is nowhere to be seen in seeking accountability on the part of those in charge of our country. Trade unions are an exception but they, too, face an attack. I am afraid, ours is a bleak future.
*Dr Molefhe teaches Public Administration at the University of Botswana
