Keorapetse: A fair, honest Speaker
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday January 13, 2025 06:00
Keorapetse has surprised many by upholding fairness and integrity in his role as Speaker of the House. Despite his departure from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), a split that occurred when the party withdrew from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), his previous affiliation has not influenced his parliamentary rulings. Many held the notion that he would show favouritism towards the UDC members, given that he contested his parliamentary seat under the coalition at Selebi-Phikwe West and lost.
However, Keorapetse has proven otherwise, fearlessly holding the UDC members accountable and correcting them when necessary. Part of Keorapetse's prowess in directing parliamentary proceedings can be apportioned to his background in political science and public administration. He also has experience as a political science lecturer at the University of Botswana. His deep understanding of parliamentary Standing Orders, combined with thorough research, has earned him respect across the political spectrum. On several occasions, he has had to guide party members, particularly Cabinet Ministers, who are still gaining confidence in responding to parliamentary questions.
Historically, the UDC members were part of the opposition bench for many years, often feeling the need to defend their positions unnecessarily. What Keorapetse strongly opposes is the failure of Cabinet Ministers to adequately address questions posed by opposition parties and backbenchers. This issue is particularly challenging in the 13th Parliament, which is markedly different from the previous ones. It includes a significant number of new Members of Parliament and inexperienced Cabinet Ministers, and for the first time in Botswana’s history, the UDC is the ruling party. For 58 years, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) held power, making this transition both historic and complex. Keorapetse’s fairness, dedication, and commitment to the principles of Parliament have set a high standard for the leadership, even in this era of unprecedented political change.
UDC
The UDC, as the ruling party, has more responsibilities on its plate compared to other parties, as it is compelled to steer Parliament in the right direction. Consequently, it often finds itself in the position of defending policies that do not originate from its own ideology, policies it previously criticised. Although the UDC is in power, the harsh reality remains that the BDP still exerts significant influence. This is because the existing policies, along with key political appointees such as permanent secretaries, diplomats, and others, continue to shape the administration's direction. As a result, the UDC is forced to inherit and address the mistakes made by the BDP whilst attempting to move forward. For instance, ministers often struggle when reading responses prepared by permanent secretaries, unsure whether the information provided by the technocrats is entirely accurate. Furthermore, some ministers still lack confidence and fail to respond effectively to follow-up questions, as they are in the process of learning their roles. Over time, it is expected that they will grow into their positions, gaining a deeper understanding of their ministries and their responsibilities within the ruling party. Nevertheless, the UDC backbench has proven to be remarkably strong. It has consistently raised critical questions that have compelled the government to initiate inquiries and audits where necessary. For example, questions posed by Phenyo Segokgo, the MP for the Tlokweng constituency, and Arafat Khan, the MP for Molepolole North constituency, have been particularly impactful. These questions have garnered widespread public support and highlighted the importance of accountability in governance.
BCP
The BCP MPs, particularly those with extensive parliamentary experience, are seizing the opportunity to scrutinise the UDC. Drawing from their own experience as the main opposition party in Parliament, the BCP consistently puts the UDC on the defensive, highlighting and capitalising on any mistakes made. This dynamic is further fuelled by the BCP's history as a breakaway party from the Botswana National Front (BNF), which remains an affiliate of the UDC. Consequently, the BCP has a deep understanding of the UDC's principles, having been an affiliate during the 2019 General Election. As a result, UDC Cabinet Ministers are finding it difficult to adequately respond to the BCP’s pointed follow-up questions. Overall, the BCP MPs demonstrated strength and cohesion in their parliamentary performance.
BDP
In contrast, the BDP MPs, who for the first time are navigating their new role as the minority opposition, appear disoriented. However, the MP for Kgatleng East, Mabuse Pule, stands out as an exception, showing a level of engagement and focus. For the rest, the lingering shock of losing power seems to have diminished their assertiveness. Whilst some BDP MPs have raised questions in Parliament, they often lack the drive to pursue meaningful follow-up discussions. This contrasting performance highlights the changing dynamics within Botswana’s Parliament and the varying levels of adaptation among the political parties.
BPF
The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), which had previously stated its intention to cooperate with the UDC, appears to be engulfed in confusion about its role, whether it aligns more with the ruling party or the opposition. This uncertainty, in turn, leaves the public equally perplexed. Whilst some of its MPs serve as Cabinet Ministers, others seem hesitant to actively engage in parliamentary debates or ask critical questions. Moreover, despite public expectations for the BPF to take a proactive stance in ensuring the UDC fulfils its mandate and holds others accountable, the party seems to lack such priorities. This raises concerns about its commitment to its stated goals.