Butale, an advocate for change
Oarabile Mosikare | Friday August 22, 2014 16:13
“Over the years I have tried to engage in various attempts to entrench freedom of expression in Botswana, South Africa and the African region because I believe freedom of expression is fundamental in any democracy and is a facilitative right through which citizens can enjoy like any other rights,” says Butale matter-of-factly.
His academic background began at the University of Botswana (UB) in the 1990s up to Master’s level. In 2010 he started his PhD at Stellenbosch University, which he completed last year December. “The topic I did was Literal Depictions of Poverty as Sources of Authoritative Knowledge on Indigents. In the study I am trying to look at the need for more qualitative studies that have been found to be more lively and with insider perspective of the poor themselves, to compliment mathematical gradations and estimations that are often associated with quantitative analysis,” he explains.
The former national director of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana chapter is now at the helm of the Freedom of Expression Institute in South Africa where he serves as executive director.
He says it was evident he would wind up in politics because he always volunteered his views on issues affecting Botswana, noting that the political situation here has worsened.
“As a result there comes a time when colleagues, in consideration of the work you have been doing will call you to the frontline of the struggle. There comes a time that you as an individual can see that the time is no longer tenable to continue speaking from the sidelines because the country is sinking and sinking fast,” he asserts.
Butale asserts that he is not entering the race as a newbie, but he is intent on completing a great man’s race.
The great man he refers to the late Gomolemo Motswaledi who perished in a car accident on July 30 under mysterious circumstances. Motswaledi was the UDC Gaborone Central parliamentary candidate and was set to battle it out with Botswana Congress Party president Dumelang Saleshando, Botswana Democratic Party’s Reverend Rupert Hambira and independent candidate, Sidney ‘DJ Sid’ Baitsile.
Butale only has praise and respect for Motswaledi. He says that he (Motswaledi) ran his race and cultivated his vision with the multitudes who mourned him, to the finish line. The media activist is confident that he stands a chance of beating his opponents.
“I’m honoured and encouraged by the appreciation of Batswana who are hungry for change,” he says. Butale says he has been a member of the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) since its inception but wasn’t active due to his daily work commitments.
“But I have always espoused the greater good of a united opposition. I strongly feel that Batswana should reward efforts made by the united opposition to give them an alternative to the dictatorial regime of [President] Ian Khama. Those who are not in the umbrella should be punished otherwise our democracy will always suffer at the hands of undemocratic regime and fragmented opposition,” he says.
Butale concludes by noting that Batswana should shun those who have not demonstrated commitment to the cause of united opposition.