A few quotes to brace end of year!

| Friday December 21, 2007 00:00

'Politics is now seen as a job for self-enrichment rather than a national service'- Log Raditlokwa reacting to President Festus Mogae's cabinet reshuffle. Party's big-wigs Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Daniel Kwelagobe and master strategist GUS Mathabaphiri had been roped into cabinet.

March 8
'It might have been a blessing in disguise that we had to break now other than when we were in government'- Botswana National Front (BNF) leader, Otsweletse Moupo contributing at a panel discussion on the collapsed opposition unity talks. The parties fell out after failing to agree on a model of cooperation.

March 16
'You are only good at chasing bad news when there are good things that the church and government continue to do and you choose to dwell on the dark side'-The statement came as a complaint by Father Victor of the Francistown Catholic Church during Mmegi's probe of an allegation of rape by a pastor at the Francistown catholic church.

March 24
'KK lived for a cause, that of a total transformation of our society during which he sired protegies, the onus now rests on these off-springs to realise the dream he lived. KK is not dead'-National Democratic Party (NDF) party president Dick Bayford speaking at the funeral of long-time BNF president and father of Botswana opposition politics, Dr Kenneth 'Shololo' Koma.

April 16
'Our position has always been clear. In the event that parents fail to pay their children would be sent home'- Ministry of Education public relations officer Nomsah Zuze commenting on an issue in which 700 students at Lobatse Secondary School were sent home for failing to pay school fees.

'An MP cannot denigrate, ridicule, malign, vilify, revile and cast aspersion on the BDP government and still expect the electorates to return the party to power!'-Mogae

May 29
'We also hope you will remember that our home was declared a game reserve by the British Protectorate to make sure that our land... is livelihoods would be protected'- a petition delivered to Tony Blair's office by FPK leader Roy Sesana.

'The BCP has to prove that they are directly affected by the privatisation of Air Botswana otherwise the whole thing is flimsy and baseless'-lawyer Ophaketse Maphakwane questioning the BCP's legal standing to sue government over Air Botswana.

June 4
'A senior police officer had instructed his juniors to pin me down to the crime. Fortunately we were able to access their diary and found out'-Gaborone business man and BDP politician as he left Extension II magistrate court after being discharged and acquitted of raping a former employee at his President Hotel office.

July 21   
'I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith, I did my best, like Frank Sanatra I did it my way and like Tony Blair I did what I thought was right-President Mogae at the BDP's July congress.

August 14
'Mark my words, this law will open an unwarranted chapter in the history of Botswana'-Mmegi columnist Michael Dingake as he spoke against the approved Security and Intelligence bill. He described the decision as government playing 'with fire'.

October 16
'If the law can empower you to have sex at 16-years-old, why should you be dis-empowered for HIV/AIDS at 16' - Uyapo Ndadi, BONELA legal adviser poising a question on Botswana Television programmne The Eye during a debate. 'I grew up in the BNF with many other senior political leaders and I will not be shaken by people who don't know their stand' - expelled Mosolotshane ward councillor Mogalakwe Mogalakwe.

November 21 
'Yes, I was going to get a share in the land, yes I was greedy' - former local government permanent secretary Elvidge Mhlauli at a corruption case held at the village magistrate court.

'Letty was a survivor and a hustler', Monitor Editor Kagiso Sekokonyane in an obituary dedicated to former Gabs FM show host Lettie Gaelesiwe.

December
'umshin wami', umshin wami' sang supporters of ANC President-elect Jacob Zuma at the ANC Polokwane gathering this week. Zuma beat outgoing ANC President and South African President Thabo Mbeki.

'Comrades, I am called upon to lead this multi-class organisation and ruling party, succeeding Cde Thabo Mbeki, a comrade, friend and brother. I have known and worked with Cde Mbeki for over 30 years. I must confess I never thought that the two of us would one day compete for the same position in the ANC! However, contesting positions does not make us enemies. The conference is now behind us and we will continue to work together to unite and build a stronger ANC.There is likely to be anxiety regarding the existence of two Presidents,' one of state and the other of the party.There is no reason for uncertainty or fear in any quarter', Zuma delivering a post-election speech at the ANC's Polokwane gathering.