'Street smarts' or 'diplomas' in politics?

MQONDISI DUBE
Correspondent | Friday January 16, 2009 00:00

In fact, Ghandi argued that every Indian should get a chance to rule the country, irrespective of education, financial status, caste, creed or community. The issue has sparked interesting debate across the globe over the years, with no conclusion. Sixty-two years after Ghandi's pronouncement, the matter is as relevant now as it was then.

Most people who attended the election of the Selebi-Phikwe mayor and his deputy on Monday will recall how one councillor bungled his oath. A number of people in the council chamber buried their heads in embarrassment as the civic leader stumbled over a simple English line. In the process the councillor changed the meaning of the sentence and unintentionally declined the offer. He was made to retake the sentence.

The incident immediately re-ignited the debate about whether a minimum educational requirement should be set for politicians. A person once observed: 'The guardians of democracy cannot be goons and criminals,' adding that there should be a minimum qualification and a check on the criminal records of the politicians.

However, someone countered, if politicians are set minimum requirements, they might as well 'buy any qualification they want'. He suggested there should be performance measures rather than graduation or educational qualifications.

The argument was that the so-called leaders have very good qualifications while those who don't, have good brains.

One  American once remarked: 'There should be no qualifications set for those running for office, save for those mentioned in the constitution. It should be left to the voters to decide who is or is not qualified to hold public office'. Some believe that in addition to minimum educational qualifications, there should be moral and ethical requirements too.

In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe had a field day castigating MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangarai, ridiculing him as uneducated.  One political analyst sharply responded: 'Who said we need an educated president?' Locally, the issue has not been pursued with the same vigour as in other countries, but still remains a controversial unresolved topic. A citizen has the right to contest for political office, and the introduction of a system like Bulela Ditswe, ensures 'a free-for-all'.

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Executive Secretary, Comma Serema, believes the issue will fizzle out when the literacy rate goes up. He said the BDP government is ensuring that all Batswana get basic education and argues that in this way the issue of setting minimum qualifications would be irrelevant. Serema, however, concurs that a politician should be able to interpret policies. 'As a representative of the people, there is need to understand policy documents. I believe voters will elect leaders who are able to interpret policies,' Serema said.

He said the BDP does not have restrictions regarding who can stand for political office. Botswana National Front (BNF) publicity secretary, Moeti Mohwasa, believes politicians who hold public office should be able to read, write and appreciate policy issues.

But he does not entirely agree that minimum requirements should be set for politicians.

'We have had people who are educated but not in touch with reality on the ground.

However, we should not undermine the role that (formal) education plays. It is very important,'Mohwasa said.

He added that while other professions demand qualifications to test one's competency, politics is different.

Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Mmadinare, Selebi-Phikwe, Bobirwa and Tswapong region chairperson, Nzwaligwa Nzwaligwa, said the issue has been a subject of debate across parties for a long time. Nzwaligwa said the problem with setting minimum qualifications for politicians is that most voters are semi-literate and would feel left out.

'The uneducated, who constitute the majority of voters, would feel left out. In my view, we need people who can articulate party policies and views,' Nzwaligwa said.He said the majority of people do not believe that a politician has to be educated but he must have natural qualities.

'They believe it is a natural calling to be in politics,' Nzwaligwa argues.

He said people with good qualifications have good jobs elsewhere and few bother contesting for public office.Nzwaligwa said this leaves parties thin on quality candidates.

He said it was unwarranted for Selebi-Phikwe councillors to ridicule their colleague because they voted him into a position of responsibility knowing his deficiencies fully well.Nzwaligwa believes that if ceremonial mayoral positions are replaced with executive positions, the situation might improve.

He said at the moment local authorities' staff are responsible for decision-making while councillors are merely there to rubber stamp.