Lessons from South Africa
Mmegi Editor | Wednesday August 23, 2017 11:25
His party, the African National Congress (ANC), also announced that the youthful former Cabinet member is facing a disciplinary inquiry instigated by the party. In his defence, Manana has not denied the charges. He reasoned that he was extremely provoked by the victim, hence the assault. We do not condone gender-based-violence, but we applaud Manana for stepping down from his Cabinet position before he brought his office into disrepute.
We submit that he acted in an exemplary fashion to his peers in South Africa and the rest of Africa. We hope other leaders on the continent have learnt from his case. This only happens in South Africa and Europe. African leaders would rather die in the office than resign. Hence the public has lost hope in African leaders.
Which brings us close to home. Recently, Selebi-Phikwe West MP Dithapelo Keorapetse gazetted a private member’s draft Bill for the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service and Botswana Prisons Service intended for interdicted officers to continue receiving full pay and benefits.
It is in the public that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) majority legislators defeated this Bill. Some reasoned that allowing interdicted officers to continue receiving full pay and benefits will corrupt the officers. They said the officers would commit some acts of crime knowing that they will receive full salaries and benefits.
We would like to illustrate that some animals are more equal than others. When Cabinet ministers faced corruption charges in the Courts of law, they receive full salaries. Precedences are galore in which a Cabinet Minister will attend a mention at the Court and later leisurely cross over- a walking distance- to attend Cabinet meeting.
President Ian Khama came up with the excuse that he does not allow them to resign because they might be innocent. We respect the principle of innocent until proven guilty, but Khama has set a bad precedence hence our heart-sinking loss of hope in African leadership. African leaders do not respect public offices they serve in.
They cannot imagine themselves as ordinary citizens outside public offices, shouting from the edges. at Kgotla meetings with other madalas. Only a few like the disgraced Manana will bow to pressure and resign. Manana is not a hero, but at least he stepped aside when faced with criminal charges. Other leaders should do the same until they clear their names.
Today's thought
“Leadership - leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses.”
– Mitt Romney