Enter a new generation at the BDP
Editor | Friday July 20, 2007 00:00
Mogae's primary mission when he came to office was to bring economics to the centre of the conduct of business at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning when President Masire appointed him nine years ago.
The Botswana Democratic Party youth who helped to elbow Masire out wanted a representative on the global platforms who would ably articulate Botswana's economic needs at the advent of 'globalisation'.
Mogae virtually became the country's ambassador, leading national delegations on almost every matter that was perceived to bear implications for the country's economy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its name to include 'international cooperation' in order to give Mogae institutional support for his campaigns abroad.
Mogae was probably known more to the staff at Foreign Affairs than at the Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration where his Vice President, Ian Khama, had a free hand.
Mogae could rely on his economics credentials to represent the country abroad whilst the Khama name served the electoral interests of the ruling party in the remotest of villages where Seretse Khama's name still commands great sentimental value.
The process of globalisation is not folding back. Rather, it is intensifying even more virulently seeking to extend its tentacles to the threatening economies of China and India.
Africa will have to be increasingly vocal and 'scientific' in the way it represents itself on the international arena. That task will be much more daunting for smaller countries like Botswana.
The recent BDP congress appears to signal the relegation of the old guard to the background, giving way to a new generation of leaders. If that is the trend, the country cannot rely on the likes of Ponatshego Kedikilwe to take over where Mogae left off.
It is more likely that the country will have to look in the direction of Kenneth Matambo, Serwalo Tumelo and others who may still be imbedded in the government administration.
Whatever happens, the new administration will have to look hard to replace Mogae.