Just next month, Botswana will celebrate 40 years of independence! Congratulations, Botswana!
In countries like Zimbabwe, only Robert Mugabe can afford to celebrate independence anniversaries. Mugabe is the only free person in that country.
I sincerely hope that, in the case of Botswana, there is indeed something to celebrate and that the celebrations are not for one family or for a select group of privileged people.
I have seen it across Africa where such national events are celebrations for the enjoyment of the president, his family and close associates. It’s hardly a celebration but more like a few people gathered to thumb their noses at the impoverished masses.
Politicians use such occasions to overstate their achievements and to force people to believe that, even though they are poor, hungry, unemployed and the country is falling apart, the people and the country are better off than they were at independence. We are told about strides that have been made in health, education, industry and other areas yet the people, as a nation, feel neglected, having hardly benefited from the alleged strides.
Often, while listening to a speech from an African president, we wonder if we have been living in the same country with the dude because he tells us of things that we never heard of or saw within our midst.
Here in Botswana, there is more talk about diamonds than about Botswana itself, which is just fine, but, hopefully, this is accompanied by corresponding development. We hope all the extravagant talk about diamonds and democracy is not to divert attention from the real issues. Is the rank and file benefiting?
Diamonds account for 60% of government revenue and 70% of Botswana’s foreign earnings. But Botswana must diversify now. Zambia, then heavily reliant on copper exports, went down on its knees and is still groggy decades after the mineral lost its conductivity on the markets. Gold has not fully regained its former glitter after the setback it suffered in the early seventies.
Since independence, Botswana has had the fastest growth in per capita income in the world. It, therefore, must not fail. Botswana must use proceeds from its wealth to develop itself.
Consider that Botswana exports more than it imports and has stockpiled over US$5.7 billion in foreign exchange reserves, which amount to two years of current imports. Consider that between 1966 and 1999, Botswana averaged an economic growth of over 9% per year. Today, Botswana’s Jwaneng mine, opened in 1982, is said to be the world’s single-richest diamond mine, while tourism accounts for about 12% of Botswana’s GDP.
Unlike in a majority of African countries, there is a lot to celebrate in Botswana, if the citizens are also sharing the pie.
More than half of Botswana’s population lives in rural areas and 47% of the population lives below the poverty datum line. Why is poverty alleviation not a serious priority in such a wealthy country of only 1.7 million? Today, Botswana’s infrastructure needs to be improved. Roads have to be built and repaired; more schools, hospitals and clinics are needed.
The water situation needs to be addressed. Why should agriculture be allowed to contribute only 4% to the GDP? And, instead of importing electricity, as it does, heavy investment should be put in the area of energy production. While it produces 930 million kWh of electricity, it consumes more than 1.89 billion kWh and has to import about 1.02 billion kWh. Clearly, more needs to be done in this area.
Botswana must benefit from itself, otherwise those figures and foreign currency reserves don’t mean anything other than placating the greed of foreigners who are getting the diamonds, anyway, and are the same greedy lot who are gleefully holding Botswana’s money for ‘safe keeping.’ How is the ordinary Motswana benefiting from all this affluence? Are we stockpiling more and spending less while people need assistance and relief now?
And there is also that unfortunate issue of Botswana versus the Basarwa, which is denting and tarnishing the country’s image as a democracy. The issue declares, in loud neon alphabets, that there are some people in this nation who have no reason to celebrate at all because of the way their own government is treating them.
Botswana has one of the world’s highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection. AIDS clinics do not have enough of everything required. Thankfully, though, Botswana also has one of Africa’s most progressive and comprehensive programmes for dealing with the disease. They are serious about the fight and do not divert AIDS funds to stage beauty contests like Zimbabwe sometimes does.
However, it already appears as if the leaders and their government feel harassed by citizens over issues in the forefront. Why can’t they assure the people that the Pula will not be allowed to continue its downward trend?
Regrettably, as more needs to be done, leaders and their parliament spend time arguing about bottle store hours!
What is the purpose of any leader championing the curtailment of barroom business hours at the expense of actively seeking a humane solution to the Basarwa issue, AIDS, educational infrastructure, health and a host of other ills that seem destined to forever remind us that this is Africa?
Tribes in Africa have long decided they no longer want another tribe to subjugate them. Why Botswana thinks it can push the San around remains a mystery and a risky interpretation of world opinion. There are things that today’s world can no longer tolerate.
Remember the secessionist Ibos of Nigeria and their Biafra? The issue is not dead; it’s still simmering today. Closer to home, does Botswana think it can escape the Caprivian issue? What’s happening in the Ivory Coast and Sudan?
No tribe will sit still just to be subjugated by another. That is pass├®.
The fact that 80% of the population is Tswana not withstanding; it might be wise for the government to invest time in the resolution of the issues concerning the 3% minority Basarwa. Other minority remote area dwellers are not faring that well either. And, as Kipling said, nothing is settled until it is settled right.
The Basarwa will be happy to hear that the US State Department says that the roots of Botswana’s democracy “lie in Setswana traditions.” The world is waiting and watching.
It’s the height of irresponsibility to waste time debating what hours spotos should be open instead of serious issues. The fault and consequences of misplaced priorities accumulate and, in the long run, cause dangerous mistrust between a government and its people.
Undoubtedly, Botswana has made strides but there is still a lot more to be done given its resources, wealth and political stability.
And, yes, there is a lot that Botswana should be celebrating.
But Botswana is also getting carried away. Botswana is in danger of overrating its democracy. And its wealth. Botswana should never forget that they are in Africa.
I have yet to see democratic miracles on this continent. But Botswana has an early start; it must maintain the momentum.
Happy 40th Anniversary, Botswana! You still have a lot to do for yourself. Try harder.
And, please, be careful, you are still an African country. So, as you celebrate, please, reflect on what you didn’t do right. But reflect more on what you still can do better.
Much of human memory includes subsequent revision and selection. Go ahead, Botswana! Give Africa the miracle. So far, you are Africa’s only hope. With risk always comes invigoration. Once, again, congratulations, Botswana!
*Tanonoka Joseph Whande is a Zimbabwean journalist.
