From Botswana Democracy Party (BDP) to Botswana Die- Hard Party (BDP)!

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party used to be ‘democratic’ in the recognised definition of the word. That was so, particularly on the eve of our independence when the party defied the advocacy of single party democracy adopted by the majority of the newly independent African countries.

She deliberately risked being called a ‘Western stooge’ by declaring herself a multiparty democracy. By joining the existing and growing number of nations who recognised that multiparty democracy was the in-thing for the future, a model government system to be the standard bearer of pro-people flag of developing humanity in line with the dynamism of unity in diversity, Botswana was visionary and forward-looking. 

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Botswana was remaining true to some of Tswana maxims which applaud freedom of speech and equal status of Batswana e.g:  Mmualebe o bua la gagwe … mahoko a kgotla a mantle otlhe! One party state system was military dictatorship in another form. Detestable!

Editor's Comment
Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

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