Friends of Botswana should win
Mmegi Editor | Thursday March 30, 2017 11:25
As the media we will be watching the space as events unfold right to the last minute when the winners will be announced at the July congress. Of course, opposition parties will be going for their own events as well, but the focus of attention will be on the ruling party, which has a few months before parting ways with its leader, President Ian Khama, who leaves it in tatters.
It was under his leadership that the party split for the first time since it was founded in 1962. Khama was the head when the party almost lost the general elections two years ago, and when national dialogue died.
He has been the principal since he ascended to presidency of a party that is unable to see to the creation of jobs for its people. Under him, the best that the ruling party has been able to come up with is short term projects that have proved not to be effective in addressing the growing issue of unemployment.
The focus will be on who will succeed Khama as leader of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections and beyond. Will it be someone who can reverse the damage caused to the country’s economy and its image in the last nine years? That person should be able to unite the country once they are in power.
They should respect the country’s institutions that established our democracy, such as the Legislature and the Judiciary.
We in the media will be curiously observing with hope that BDP members will vote for a leader that will enhance democracy; rebuild our country’s image and most importantly promote press freedom.
We want an individual who will ease the prevailing and unnecessary tension that has killed national dialogue on pressing issues.
We have become a polarised nation where one’s comments on socio-economic and political issues can immediately be declared as anti- or pro-government regardless of the importance or the meaning they carry. This is not healthy for nation-building.
Non Governmental Organisations, the civil society and even religious organisations are silent and unable to share their views because they are too scared to be labelled anti-government, a tag that comes with brutal consequences.
Under this Government we all have to bow before the king and ‘apologise for our sins’ to get his blessings, a clear sign that we need strong institutions and not a strongman, something which all political parties should strive for.
We urge all to keep this in mind, especially the ruling party that will be electing a new leadership to clean up the mess of Khama’s era that leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
Today’s thought
“A nation is defined by adverse people who have been unified by a cause and a value system and who are committed to a vision for the type of society they wish to live in and give to the future generations to come.”
- Fela Durotoye