An open letter to DJ Sid: Dear Monnamogolo, it�s OK to dream!

Keletso Thobega | Wednesday July 16, 2014 11:41

 

If Sid were to go to Parliament I envision he would influence positive developments and opportunities for those in the creative/artistic industry. It’s easy to write him off as a chancer who won’t have an impact or win but: never say never!

If my memory serves me well, DJ Sid was among the first radio presenters at RB2. He was instrumental in the inaugural operation of Duma FM.  He also pioneered Botswana’s first online radio station which played strictly local music, Sidfm. He’s good with playing and compiling music. Furthermore I’ve gathered that he’s a pretty old chap but looks better than his contemporaries, some of who are tormented by conditions of ‘good living’ like obesity, Z3 and phuza faces.  Many people will however remember him from My Star, not only because of the negative criticism he heaped on the contestants but because he paid little attention to his appearance.

Do you remember that hideous itchy-looking jersey that belongs in a Kist that he liked to wear? Another time he caused a social media frenzy when he sported a blonde dreadlocked hairstyle, dressed in a sari complete with long nails painted weird colours. If you have seen the man around, you will know that he’s not necessarily a metro sexual. I recently saw an interesting cartoon of the DJ in the Botswana Guardian. In the first slide, he was dressed in a large old t-shirt, tattered shorts and flip flops with his locks unkempt. In another, he was wearing a suit, and sported a short combed hairstyle. 

The picture had written below it: Who would you vote for? Many people would point out the Sid in the suit because he looks clean and crisp. But then again, when it comes to politics, we are not voting for looks and appearance but intellect, leadership skills and ability to be the voice of the voiceless. Never judge a book by its cover. Don’t be fazed by someone wearing a suit. Magodu ka bontsi ke bone ba ba gagamalang ka dibaki. Honourable DJ Sid doesn’t come across as an elitist. He is probably representing the ‘masses’. The ‘masses’ being ordinary people who are so focused on eking out a living that looking like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine is the least of their concerns. If DJ Sid believes he can represent the ‘masses’ of Gaborone Central looking like a hobo, why not?

I suspect some Batswana are jealous and secretly wish they were bold too because it takes balls (no pun intended) to enter the political sphere. Many Batswana suffer passive aggression. They get a kick out of complaining, hurling insults and mocking, but make no change.  If we can’t applaud honourable DJ Sid for anything else, we can at least give him credit for taking a stand.

 Some people are adamant that DJ Sid is broke and that’s why he’s entering politics. I don’t know why some Batswana have a skewed mentality that everything in life is done for money. That’s a commoner’s mindset. Some people are guided by passion and principle. Even if he is motivated by money, he’s not the first or the last. It’s not a crime to want money. After all, you won’t pay your bills with a hug, or mortgage with a kiss!

Many things aren’t allowed in this country, but thank God we can still dream! Who wouldn’t want to receive a salary with special perks to talk, get someone to write their speeches and act concerned? When your sated belly gets heavy, you begin to say things like: ‘Botswana is a hopeless nation’, forgetting that it is Batswana who queued in the sun to vote for you.

 If you win elections honourable DJ, your detractors will choke on humble pie! The naysayers will complain when you slack but will benefit nothing. When you zoom around the city in top-of-the-range sedans they will point and say: O ne a rwala diphataphata le di shorts, gompieno o gagametse ka suit, o re lebetse!

Many people nurse dreams of changing the world, being powerful, famous or rich. Why shouldn’t you dream of sitting in Parliament? If Honourable Modubule could make it as a mokoko, why can’t you? Keep dreaming honourable DJ! It’s allowed!