Well done Batswana!

Mmegi Editor | Tuesday October 28, 2014 16:56

Since the finalisation of primary elections across the three major parties, campaign rhetoric has been rising to previously unheard of levels, leaving ordinary Batswana uncomfortable and increasingly apprehensive.

Everything was fair game, nothing was sacrosanct. From a rival’s family, to his background, from children to chiefs, every political pebble was picked up, tucked into the catapult and cast.

Many wondered whether a once proud and united nation would ever heal from the scars caused by our politicians and the more zealous hawks within their ranks. Each Monday, Batswana were terrified to read or watch the next taboo, unthinkable statement and accusation made at the weekend rally, as the politicians took their brinkmanship to unchartered heights.

In our special Election Edition published last Thursday, we appealed for calm, tolerance and Botho over the election and it is with great national pride that we can report that Batswana once again proved to be a peace-loving nation.

Even on the election eve, rival political parties held their last minute rallies side by side, often meeting in motorcades, but interacting affably and respecting each others’ rights.

Apart from the drunkenness that unfortunately has become associated with every public holiday, the pre-election environment was largely peaceful across the country.

Election day itself was a quiet affair, where urban centres were abandoned as each and every patriotic Motswana took it upon themselves to respectfully exercise their right to a say in this country’s future.

Common election day no-nos such as the wearing of party regalia at polling stations or campaigning near polling stations, were unheard of this time around. And the counting days – Saturday and Sunday – were equally a postcard perfect depiction of a mature democracy at work, where voters happily interacted among themselves and with their representatives while awaiting the final outcome.

This indeed is the Botswana our founding fathers dreamt of in the early years of our Republic. A land where each citizen has the right and the opportunity to participate in the country’s development via a single and equal vote.

Under the glare of international attention, Botswana’s track record of being Africa’s oasis of peace, justice and security was preserved, leading observers to declare the election “peaceful, free and fair”.

We should never take our prevailing peace for granted, especially when most of our continent is wracked by all manner of stubborn strife and conflict. Those who mistake our peacefulness for docility, will also note our aggression when we seek to defend our way of life and posterity.

Well done Batswana for your self-control and for your maturity in participating in this election. The baton passes to our new legislators who now are constitutionally bound to put our aspirations into action.

                                                               Today’s thought

               “Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.”

 

                                                               - Ronald Reagan