Orgy Of Gifts In Phikwe Election Race

MQONDISI DUBE
Correspondent | Monday February 23, 2009 00:00

The beneficiaries of this fight for political votes are the ordinary people on the street.

There is the biblical manna from heaven but this time, raining from politicians.

It is the battle to win the mind and soul of the voter. Often dismissed as dishonest, most politicians have a tendency of abandoning the electorate only to resurface towards election time.

To illustrate the sceptical view regarding politicians, it is said that on one tombstone, it was engraved 'Here lies an honest politician'. One person questioned if there were two people in the grave; the 'honest person' and a 'politician', arguing that a politician cannot be honest.

But various political parties and their 2009 general election candidates have at least been honest in splashing goodies to the electorate.

The opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) set the ball rolling late last year when it treated combi, tax operators and vendors at the bus rank to a free lunch.

The party's parliamentary candidate for Selebi-Phikwe East, Nzwaligwa Nzwaligwa admitted that although it might be viewed as vote buying, it was a way of attracting a good crowd.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had appealed to political parties to encourage people to register to vote and the BCP was using the 'free lunch' as bait to attract more people.

It is not clear if the move paid dividends but the number of registered voters has since risen significantly with the IEC now confident about reaching its target.

Not to be outdone, BCP nemesis, the Botswana National Front (BNF) organised a free HIV testing campaign.

A number of people walked away with vegetables from a raffle the BNF conducted after the testing campaign.

The party's publicity secretary, Moeti Mohwasa said it was a benevolent move meant to encourage people to know their HIV status.

The BNF Selebi-Phikwe West constituency organised a get together where transport operators engaged in the party's campaign were treated to food.

A fortnight ago, the BNF organised a music festival, meant to encourage the youth to participate in elections.

The show, in which DJ Sid and DJ Double H performed, was free before 10pm and only P10 thereafter.

On Saturday, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Selebi-Phikwe West constituency treated the elderly, who were 60 years and above, to a free lunch.

The constituency administrator, Ronald Phetlhe said legislator, Kavis Kario appreciated the elderly for their contribution to the nation and Selebi-Phikwe in particularly by offering them lunch.

Mmadinare MP, Ponatshego Kedikilwe and BCP President, Gilson Saleshando issued out calendars with their portraits as the fight for political leverage approaches fever pitch.

There have been other 'presents' given out including computers to schools, soccer equipment for clubs and donations to the needy.

Curiously, all these handouts come towards the general election.

In addition, people are expecting to be showered with free caps, t-shirts, calendars and all sorts of campaign material.

There have been classic cases of politicians literally dishing out goodies in the heat of political campaigns.

Flamboyant Gaborone businessman, Robert Masitara, in a bid to woo the voters in the Gaborone North West election contest, distributed free yoghurt, a move laughed off by the opposition as a vote buying gimmick.

Masitara went on to lose to BNF President, Otsweletse Moupo despite his philanthropic efforts.