Politics of confusion

Correspondent | Thursday September 11, 2014 11:39

 

I am assuming his words are directed at anyone who is appealing for the report to be made public. I never thought Ndaba Gaolathe would stoop so low and exercise the arrogant flamboyance that has become the UDC’s president, Duma Boko’s trademark. Maybe the UDC leadership should begin by reimbursing me the many thousands of pulas that I contributed to  Motswaledi’s court cases as well. I remind the UDC leadership once again that charity begins at home and public funds should be accounted for at UDC level so that we can be confident that the UDC can and will account for state funds. Gaolathe has reiterated my view that the UDC leadership is not only arrogant but defrauding.   Nevertheless, let me not stoop to the same level least I compete. My point today relates and point to the UDC state international relations post 2014.

Just some random thoughts that I throw to the learned opposition tripartite alliance of the Botswana Movement for Democracy, the Botswana National Front and the Botswana People’s Party which in turn are officially code named the Umbrella for Democratic Change. Perhaps to begin by appreciating the substance of the ongoing parliamentary debates on both the state broadcaster; Radio Botswana and private Radio Station Gabz FM as my opening statement is key. For the first time in my life as a citizen I am going into an election era with a much clearer understanding and awareness of the parliamentary candidates. That is a welcome development.

I am inspired to pen these noble words largely by the on-goings within the UDC as it readies itself for the 2014 general elections. Before I forget let me note that the name; Umbrella for Democratic Change says a lot about the intention. An intention to have A DEMOCRATIC CHANGE. But let me also note that some months back the then president of the African National Congress youth league; Julius Malema had some interesting thoughts about Botswana’s democracy. His thoughts which he made very clear were that he will be engaging his party to come up with ways and means of helping the BNF to overthrow the Botswana government. Some of our local media commentators likened such to treason. 

I want to believe that overthrowing any legitimate and democratically elected government is in essence unconstitutional and undemocratic and thus cannot under any circumstances bring DEMOCRATIC CHANGE that the UDC wishes for. The government of Botswana moved very swiftly then to impose a visa restriction on the young Julius Malema. I am tempted to believe that whoever threatens a sovereign state by harbouring thoughts of overthrowing a democratically elected government deserves the treatment that Malema got.

One might argue that there could have been a better way of handling the matter. One could also argue that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party possibly engaged the ruling African National Congress just for assurance that the views of Malema are just entirely his and not those of his then party; ANC. The media people like referring to such as a disclaimer. One will then come to the conclusion that because the ANC is a close friend to the BDP such an assurance was issued. One will also possibly conclude that the government of Botswana then made it clear to the government of South Africa that in guarding Botswana’s peace and stability an exception will be made against Malema as a reaction to his then statements.  I generally enjoy the young energy that Malema carries himself with. But I obviously wish it could come with some sense of responsibility and maturity. The BNF has at one point tagged itself as such an organisation. The BMD on the other hand has always sounded calm, organised, collected and focused. It is possible that having been a part of the ruling BDP, the BMD knows and cherishes the ideals and responsibilities that come with national leadership. Naturally so, as a citizen, that gives me a bit of comfort as the marriage between the BNF and the BMD then could be argued to have diluted the immaturity and lack of responsibility that had then besieged the BNF. These are important points to consider as we get near to the 24th of October 2014. Five years is quite a long time to take chances. In this piece I am bringing few pointers which are deliberately being lit to presume an international relations platform in the case of UDC coming out victors.

I am penning these random thoughts just to try and understand the position of the BMD on the Economic Freedom Fighters young leader; Malema coming to Botswana to launch a BNF council candidate who is also a BNF Youth League Secretary General. I wonder alone if this is a sign of friendship between the EFF and the BNF. Entangling this puzzle is very interesting as it brings out that the EFF, a splinter group of the ANC is focusing all its energies on destroying the ANC government which is shared by a tripartite alliance of the ANC, the South African Communist Party and the Confederation of South African Trade Unions. Let me note here that the BNF is a close friend of the SACP which is a state friend of the ANC. Let me not forget to mention that the EFF and SACP not only do refuse to see eye to eye but wish terrible worse for one another. They are sworn enemies. Now this sounds chaotic if the EFF is a friend of the BNF. I then wonder once more about the liberal friends of the BMD who are the Democratic Alliance of South Africa. The last time I checked, Malema had said very inhuman and irritating statements about the DA’s leadership when he continually referred to the then DA Spokesperson; Lindiwe Mazibuko as a ‘tea lady’ and to the current DA Leader; Hellen Zille as ‘madam’ in a very sarcastic way and even went to a point of labelling Hellen Zille a racist.

Gofitile Keotshwaetse