Masisi’s weak Cabinet
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday April 4, 2022 08:06
It is known that Masisi’s four-year tenure has been marred by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, it has not been as smooth sailing as the President would have wanted. As such, it may sound too harsh to judge him and his Cabinet based on what has transpired with the pandemic having had taken much of the limelight just one year into his office.
Nonetheless, it is exactly under these conditions that one is able to see and judge the character and mettle of his Cabinet, which he has assembled to assist him implement his agenda and aspirations.
From the onset, Masisi was doomed to have a Cabinet headache as he had to appoint from a group that was dominated by inexperienced Members of Parliament. This was because the 2019 general election had claimed many experienced scalps, with tested character.
From the surviving group, not all were his trusted loyalists. Masisi was without too many options, but to pick from the crop he had. From the choice of his Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, to the last junior minister, his appointments had question marks on them.
There has been many costly mistakes from the Office of the President and political commentators have attributed them to the lack of leadership prowess. The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Kabo Morwaeng and his deputy Dumezweni Mthimkhulu have been described as amongst the weakest link in Masisi’s Cabinet.
They hold a portfolio that is big and influential in the administration; the face of government. Traditionally, the most experienced or political veterans have always headed this ministry. It is a very taxing portfolio, and it is no surprise that newbies Morwaeng and his deputy have been found wanting thus far. It is very clear that they are struggling in terms of what advice to offer the President.
There are instances when government had announced a new policy, and reversed it in no time due to public pressure, something that reflects badly on their leadership skills. Things are seemingly done in a haste, but surprisingly, the chopping and changing that has taken place is yet to affect them. Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Lemogang Kwape looked the part when he was still at Health and Wellness and it seems like his shoes were too big to fill for the substantive minister, Dr Edwin Dikoloti.
Dikoloti is yet to convince that he is indeed at the right ministry. It is under his leadership that COVID-19 was at its peak, claiming too many lives of Batswana. His leadership was needed the most. Although Botswana can be commended for ensuring that it procured vaccines for its people, it has now become clear that this was done without proper roll-out plan and vision after it was recently reported that some vaccines are due to expire. National examination results are forever deteriorating; the country is facing a serious water shortage while there are unprecedented frequent price increases of fuel and utilities. All this could point to the lack of leadership within Masisi’s administration.
Except maybe for Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Peggy Serame, there is seemingly nothing much to write home about Masisi’s Cabinet.
Without looking at all individual Ministers, it is safe to say that Masisi’s Cabinet has performed below par. The chopping and changing of Ministers based on political expediency clearly indicate that the President is not satisfied with his Cabinet deliveries. With this crop, Masisi’s reset agenda is in jeopardy. With just two years left before the next general election, one wonders if there is enough time for the Cabinet ministers to redeem themselves and their careers.