Government must listen

Mmegi Editor | Monday September 13, 2021 12:15

Pastor Thuso Tiego and a group of aggrieved musicians are just the latest but the first episode of this series started last year when local musician ATI headed to the State House and demanded to see President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The artist was arrested and jailed but the charge was later quashed in court. Then later that year, a group of creatives led by musician Vee Mampeezy mounted a protest festival at Old Naledi grounds in Gaborone. They aired their frustrations and accused the government of overlooking their dire situations. The leader, Vee Mampeezy was then arrested and charged.

People were ignored, but instead the police resorted to arresting, intimidation and brutality and sent them home with no hope that the government will listen to their grievances. But these public protests are now escalating because this is unlike any time in history. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic hardships have negatively affected many people’s social and mental wellbeings.

The government is now dealing with some people who have lost everything and perhaps have nothing to lose anymore. They demand the government to answer their questions about COVID-19, what this outbreak means for them now and in the months and years to come. They want to know why would the government spend P58 million in buying Tautona Lodge in Gantsi rather than procuring vaccines and boosting fallen sectors of the economy.

They also want to know why the government would insist on shutting their sectors and neglecting financial repercussions and possible subsequent job losses. They want to know whether the government would protect their jobs following the impending end of the State of Public Emergency (SoE). They want the first audit on COVID-19 to be released and how the government spent billions of pula drawn from its reserves and COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Botswana’s democracy is crumbling and through these public voices, people want to take action and rebuild the democracy they feel has been destroyed by the current administration. It is not just Tiego, ATI and others because they have protested publicly, but everyone deserves to have their voices heard and their questions answered by decision makers. They deserve more than being labelled as agents of opposition politicians. It is clear that people want to have a say in the affairs of the country and that the political leadership must account for its deeds or misdeeds.

The government must understand that the right to speak has to be facilitated. Perhaps the government, led by President Masisi has been slow to realise that and if democracy is to function well, it should promote listening especially at this moment more than ever.

Today's thought

“When it comes to common rights and needs of men and women, there is no clash of civilizations. the requirements of freedom apply fully to Africa and Latin America and the entire Islamic world. the people of the Islamic nations want and deserve the same freedoms and opportunities as people in every nation. and the government should listen to their hopes.”

– George W Bush|•