Nkwa must surely be the last surviving member of the 1966 Independence National Assembly having won the North-East constituency for the Peoples Party and with Matante (Francistown) and Motlhagodi (Mochudi) being the only three opposition members. This was a gesture without precedence in this country’s post-colonial history. But to gain the true significance of the visit it is necessary to set it in its proper context. Rather obviously, this country has lost its way. To spell out the detail is depressing in itself.
Daily we hear of those with opportunity putting their grubby fingers in the till. Once, the amounts stolen amounted to hundreds. This quickly became thousands, then millions and any day now, it is bound to be billions. Two authorities have suggested that the government enclave in Gaborone should be, as a crime scene, sealed off with yellow police tape. It sounds like a sick joke. There is skepticism about the probity of the leaders of government, elected and appointed. Who is clean, who is not? This ominous scenario is perceived as one characterised by sleaze, greed, the loss of integrity, and divisiveness, all unmeasurable perceptions. In the past, there was a degree of respect between the leaders of the different parties although the BDP made little attempt to hide its contempt for the BNF. But never before has an MP been physically thrown out of the National Assembly and dumped like a bag of rotten potatoes outside. That is the stage we have now reached. Yesterday, before diamond money corrupted the political arena, election candidates were expected to be generous in their offers of alcoholic refreshment. This was at best an haphazard, almost innocent means of gaining support. Today, political support is achieved with cash payments and offers of a whole range of goodies. It is a dismal, disappointing, scenario, which can only occur because those with cash know that most of us are potentially up for sale. But this today is not how we see such matters.
