Two speeches with little in common

What an extraordinary contrast it was between the two speeches – between the state of the nation address by the President as head of the majority party in Parliament and the speech of the new leader of the opposition, Duma Boko.

And what an extraordinary contrast between the reactions to those speeches, the one restrained and largely silent and the other marked by the stunned cessation of the usual shifting of sitting position and of the casual postures reflecting indifference and boredom, as reported by The Voice. And again, what an extraordinary difference of approach with the President affirming throughout his extremely long speech that the country is doing very nicely, thank you, whilst Boko ripped such claims apart denouncing the government for its corruption, indifference to massive waste, and sheer incompetence. Both speakers devoted substantial parts of their respective speeches to the needs of the 50% poor, with the President reporting that his government would continue to provide increased forms of social relief, including the Ipelegeng and blankets and radio programmes – whilst Boko insisted that only radical structural change is likely to achieve any real change, anything else being merely a palliative.  There is a strange disconnect about these handsomely staged, occasions.  Year by year, I read, or part listen to the august speeches which are supposed to enlighten, inform, guide and interest us - and for the most part, they are long, well fashioned, well organised, constrained, and some how disappointing.

I read through much of the President’s recent, as ever, well polished, almost problem free, State of the Nation address and wondered if, somehow, we are all living here in two different worlds?  There is a reality and a non-reality, a gap between what is said and what is done with fervent pleas being made that everyone in the new Assembly, regardless of party, should work together for the good of the country.  But almost the next day, Btv continues its partisan reporting and 119 BDP supporters, some having been rejected in the recent elections, are unashamedly, and brazenly, made nominated Councillors.  It is all about power, of course, with goodwill being markedly absent. But that is because this country functions as if it is a registered, company. The BDP, having won the first election, became the automatic owner of all the shares and therefore routinely appoints the Directors. The annual reports are produced (the budget) and the income derived from diamonds is distributed amongst the shareholders according to their agreed priorities - Parliament approving the budget. Generous provision is made for social relief not least to ensure that the poor remain quiescent and that BDP shareholders sit back with the financial killing they have enjoyed since diamond revenues came on stream.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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