I will be passing the baton - Moupo

* OTSWELETSE MOUPO | Friday March 19, 2010 00:00

 

As far back as 1965, Comrade Kenneth Koma characterised the BDP as essentially neo-colonialist and pro-imperialist. 

The close political collaboration between BDP leadership and De-Beers which involves the giving out of millions of Pula by the latter to ensure that BDP remained in power to protect its interest confirms this characterisation of the ruling party.

We in the BNF have for the past 30 years advocated for the beneficiation of the diamond industry to enhance the value of diamond exports, promote industrialisation, job creation and transfer of skills to our citizens. 

De Beers tenaciously preached the idea that Botswana was only suited for the extraction and selling of unprocessed diamond.  Like a parrot, the BDP repeated De Beers' position, thus denying Botswana much needed jobs, transfer of skills and billions of Pula in export earnings. 

It is now clear that the refusal by the BDP government to heed our advice was motivate by the fact that the ruling party could not disengage from the policy of De Beers on account of its corrupt relationship with this multi-national corporation.

The much vaunted shinning example of democracy and good governance has been exposed for what it is; a corrupt government which is prepared to compromise its own sovereignty for the sake of pursuing narrow partisan interests. 

We condemn in the strongest possible terms this corruption and also call upon the government to institute a commission of inquiry to find out precisely what happened during those years and in particular, what the relationship of De Beers and the government was prior to the assumption of presidency by Ketumile Masire.

After the recent general elections, the BDP government has once again shown its utter contempt for the basic principles of democracy by its gross abuse of the system of nominating councillors.  In addition to the 490 councillors who were elected, it proceeded to nominate over 110 councillors. 

This is over 20% of those elected.  If indeed there is need for so many councillors, why can't the elected seats be increased so that all parties can have equal chance to contest for those seats.  Worse still, in utter disregard of the will of the electorate as reflected in the popular vote even 90% of those nominated were from the BDP.  These nominated councillors together with an additional four specially elected Members of parliament (MPs), contribute thousands of Pulas to the BDP every month.  In this way, BDP is using state funds to sponsor its activities, thus grossly abusing its power and undermining the democratic process.  The BDP government is being extremely hypocritical in rejecting our demand for state funding of political parties as it is abusing the system of nomination of councillors and MPs to effectively finance the BDP.  Our party will continue to agitate for the abolition of this system of nomination.

Now turning to internal party matters, the Botswana National Front (BNF) will be going for its statutory national congress in July 2010 at which a new leadership will be elected.  Once again the BNF members will be given the opportunity to freely elect their leadership.  Like every BNF member I have the right to contest for any position of leadership including that of party president.  That notwithstanding, I have decided not to defend my position as President or to contest for any other leadership position. 

I have made this decision on my own and not under external influence or pressure of any nature whatsoever.  Contrary to the idea being peddled by my detractors that I am tenaciously clinging to power even against the expressed will of BNF members, I have never intended to remain for too long in the leadership.  I shall accordingly be passing the baton to another comrade in July.

In the course of time I shall be visiting party structures to bid them farewell and thank them for the honour and privilege, they accorded me in electing me to serve in the elevated position of party president.  I acquired valuable experience and skills in the art of political leadership.  I also had the privilege of meeting with foreign statesmen, and exchanging views and experiences with them.  For this I am grateful to my comrades.  The last three years of my leadership have been challenging with the incessant strife and infighting, which affected our movement and the virulent attacks directed at me by some comrades.  I have always strived to do the best I could to advance the interests of our movement.  Like any other human being, I erred in some of my actions, and with the benefit of hindsight, there are certain things I would have done differently. 

But however, seriously one may consider to have erred, there is nothing I did which could possibly justify the rancour, personal abuse and vicious attacks to which I was subjected to by some comrades.  I believe history will absolve me in this regard.

 However, I harbour no ill-feeling or bitterness against anyone.  I know that this was part of the challenge and test of real leadership, particularly of a Mass Movement like the BNF.

I derive particular contentment from the fact that I received comradely sympathy and support from an overwhelming majority of party members particularly during the period when I was facing formidable personal challenges. 

I shall forever be grateful for the moral support, genuine comradeship and nobility of the spirit, which these party members demonstrated to me at the time of greatest need. 

I appeal to party members to let by-gones be by-gones and to extent a hand of reconciliation and real comradeship to even party members with whom we have serious differences. 

Vibrant debate and vigorous contestation of ideas should continue to be within the party, but let us do so in the true spirit of the best progressive traditions of our movement, with a view to correcting and rectifying mistaken ideas within the movement.

By not contesting for any leadership position I shall not be refraining from BNF politics, but merely transforming my level of participation in the movement that I so much love.  Having been active in the movement for my entire adult life (a period spanning over 31 years), I have acquired a lot of knowledge and experience in all aspects of party work.  I would be ready to serve the party on any task assigned to me, particularly in the ideological work, cadreship development and training.

*Otsweletse Moupo is the President of Botswana National Front