Indian community has not monopolized business

Joel Konopo | Friday January 15, 2021 15:53

This perception and chauvinistic sentiments are not just disturbing but hurtful and derogatory. They threaten the core fabric of our society founded on the principles of Botho and unity and cannot go unchallenged, lest they are misconstrued as the truth.

What is even more disturbing is that some on social media could go to an extent of alleging that there is a mafia that has captured the economy.

As a journalist, I am of the view that condemning populist rhetoric is in the public interest. There is widespread knowledge of how much the Indian community has contributed to this country. And I believe no amount of I believe many Batswana would agree with me that making inflammatory claims about any group of people has the potential to tarnish the image of our country and upset the general investor confidence. The allegations that the Indian community in Botswana somehow “control” the economy are without merit and rooted on hyper-racial rhetoric.

These commentators collectively used different media platforms to advance these perceptions and vitriol against the Indian diaspora in Botswana. This was largely calculated to stir up emotions and divide our society. It must be stated that history is replete with examples of dire consequences that befall society when bigotry and ethnicity are used for opportunistic short-term ends. Sadly, the commentators are following and promoting their personal agenda.

Instead of responding to them one by one, a cogent and fact-based response is in order to expose their collective misinformation. While they have a right to hold a different view, I believe it is time to set the record straight and explain the position and address the distortions and half-truths because “if you repeat a lie often enough,” the saying goes, “it becomes accepted as truth.”

• The Indian Diaspora in Botswana has played a large role in the growth and development of this economy. It is difficult to understand why they have become an easy target of people seeking to spread disinformation and hate. Over the years their reputation as business people has contributed to the middle-income status of our economy that it is today. They identify as the largest private sector employer in Botswana and have paid taxes, rescued collapsing businesses and helped lay the frame work for a vibrant business atmosphere in a competitive environment. Just for context, Indian businesses in Botswana collectively employ excess of 50 000 people and pay taxes in excess of billion of Pula.

• Indian business people are hardworking and operate within the laws of Botswana. They are committed to uplifting the lives of fellow Batswana business people by offering them access to markets and also helping struggling businesses. Those are some of the many enormous contributions by the Indian business community in Botswana that cannot be wished away by commentators on social media.

 

• Majority of the businesses that commentators claim are Indian owned are actually public companies that any self-driven investor is free to acquire shares through the Botswana Stock Exchange thousands of Batswana do so already.

 • Anti-Indian sentiments elsewhere had unpleasant consequences. Dislodged Indians in Uganda have become millionaires in the UK and elsewhere not by accident but through their hard work and acumen, worthy of emulation.

 • A fact in history is that Indians have played an important role in the freedom struggle of just about every country on the African continent. Some of their children and grandchildren hail from that proud heritage.

 

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses has been felt acutely in Botswana. We also understand underlying frustrations that have been brought by the negative impact of the pandemic. That is why the Indian community collectively contributed a major portion towards the Covid-19 Relief Fund. This is part of their commitment to playing a meaningful role in uplifting the lives of fellow Batswana, heeding the call from President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Ongoing interventions too numerous to mention have been made to help improve the lives of Batswana, including other Corporate Social Responsibility measures amounting to millions of Pula annually over the past many years since our independence. My understanding of their intervention include the fact that they have initiated programmes tailor-made to support small and upcoming projects by indigenous Batswana. These include on-the-job training and also through large contributions from the training levy fund.

Despite all these contributions, one would not understand the motive for an aggressive campaign against Indians by some people who are focused on hate. This is dangerous and, as citizens, it is our moral duty to speak out against it.

I implore Batswana to get over this Asian bias and develop confidence and become more business savvy. It is not surprise that the world over major companies are headed by Indians as such Google, Cisco and Microsoft.

The anti-Indian rhetoric will only cause dissension and divisions in our society. Botswana youth should know that there are business opportunities and potential for partnerships. There are many examples. But importantly, we should be ready to compete in a free-market economy such as ours. Competition is rife and good for the public in our small economy and cannot be wished away.

Instead of plying racial tensions, being grumpy and apathetic to our country, we should be developing a work horse mentality and uplifting ideas on ways to start businesses. While it is not easy, many people are trying and need to be commended. We should nurture a creative and innovative spirit. Complaining that the Indian community is monopolizing businesses will not offer opportunity for growth, the excitement of competition and the spectacle of an innovative spirit.