'Patriotism is not anyone's private property'

| Friday November 12, 2010 00:00

 

Most of the people were in the orange colours of the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). A lot of people had come.

In the press gallery, some reporters had to stand as all seats were taken. The atmosphere was tense with expectation. It was time for the Leader of the Opposition, Botsalo Ntuane, to respond to President Ian Kham's State of the Nation address.

The Speaker, Margaret Nasha, took her seat and business began. Before Ntuane's response, however, the Member of Parliament for Selebi-Phikwe West, Gilson Saleshando, took a pot shot at Minister Lesego Motsumi on the cost of government aircraft and vehicles used by the President and the Deputy President on political party business.

After Motsumi reeled off the figures, prompting an un-amused Gilson Saleshando to ask: 'Were those trips in the interests of the nation, especially during a recession? Don't you think it's corruption to be using government money for BDP events at this time?'

Unshaken, Motsumi retorted: 'Go ntse jalo (It's like that). It's part of their terms and conditions of their positions, whether there is a recession or not.'  And then, when the time for Ntuane's response finally arrived, the MP for Lobatse, Nehemiah Modubule, made a point of procedure by referring to the Notice Paper of Tuesday November, 9, 2010 according to which the Leader of the House, Mompati Merafhe, should first announce that the Leader of the Opposition will respond to the President's address. Some BDP MPs grumbled, obviously about the wasting of time with unnecessary decorum.

Speaker Nasha thought so too: 'You have time,' she said. 'If you waste it, re kgaoganya tlhogo le ditlhaa go siame (If you want to waste time splitting hairs, it is fine with me). But when the time elapses (for responding to the President's address), ke kgaola ka selepe...I can see there is no hurry in Botswana.'

Nonetheless, Merafhe stood and executed the task, but not before telling the House his opinion of Modubule:

'This member who is permanently angry would like me to respond that I, the National Assembly of Botswana here assembled...' Ntuane then addressed the House. He talked about the advent of the BMD in Botswana politics, referring to it as 'the new dawn.' The BMD leader narrated the history of the coming into being of the BMD; the well-known infamous Mogoditshane meeting by discontented BDP politicians of the Barata-Phathi faction.

As he goes on, he talks about his party ushering in some feeling of  freedom among Batswana, prompting a round of mirth in the House. Even those in the public gallery cannot restrain themselves as they burst into laughter and even clap their hands, attracting the ire of the Speaker.

'I warn them not to move or ululate,' Nasha says. 'You can only listen. You should do that (ululating) outside. Members of the House are the only ones allowed to make those peculiar noises,' she tells them.

The Leader of the Opposition zooms into patriotism as one of Khama's cherished subjects. The President has often accused the media and the opposition of being unpatriotic. Such unpatriotic tendencies have the potential of turning investors away, the President has said. Ntuane's reaction is that the opposition also loves Botswana.

'Indeed, the writer Richard Stengel is correct when he says,'True patriotism is not owned by any party or person.' Let us advise that patriotism should not be conflated with loyalty to individuals. Let it be noted that we consider ourselves a partner in the development of our nation and do not regard the BDP as an enemy. Neither should the BDP see us as an enemy...

'Abiding by this principle, where credit must be given for good work, we shall do so. Where our support is required in Parliament for bills and motions we deem in the national interest, it shall be granted. At all levels of governance, we shall make constructive contributions to the advancement of Botswana,' Ntuane says.

After a critical attack on the conduct of DIS, the composition of the Intelligence Tribunal and similar issues, Ntuane moves to deportations. He says the law on deportation should be repealed because foreigners are being kicked out of the country without trial, which is unfair. On the economy, he calls for a state mining company, through which the government may consolidate its assets in several mining companies.

'We subscribe to the view that if the Debswana model, despite its evident shortcomings, has worked well for the country, why not replicate the model in all sectors of the mining industry in  Botswana? We are not calling for nationalisation because the Debswana model does not fit the definition of nationalisation.

'Rather, it is a joint venture between the government and a foreign investor. We therefore call for the creation of a state mining company which would, on behalf of the nation, own a stake in any mining venture in the country. In this way, Botswana will receive more benefits, beyond taxes and royalties.'  Just before wrapping up, the Leader of the Opposition touches on the issue of abuse of workers' rights by Chinese companies operating in Botswana.

He says they pay low wages and that in some cases physically abuse workers. He calls for a moratorium on the companies, while carrying out an investigation on them.

Of course, there was no way Ntuane could not comment on the alcohol levy and the problems of the entertainment industry where people are not allowed to be out beyond 2am. He says adults should not be told when to sleep because they are old enough to decide for themselves.

'Even when places of entertainment have shut down by gun toting security officers, the personal freedom to socialise within one's residence is prohibited.

'We now see an Orwellian situation where armed soldiers close down braais and parties held in private residences, with the pretext that they disturb the peace. This evangelism has dealt a body blow to the domestic leisure and entertainment industry. ... We reject the notion that the personal tastes and dislikes of our leaders must be forced on us. Hence we call on the government to review laws and regulations pertaining to leisure and entertainment.'  When Ntuane is done, he sits down. Masimolole tries to say something, but some MPs shoot him down and someone in the opposition ranks passes a remark about him, rubbing him up the wrong way. 'Hey mosimane! (Hey boy!),' Masimolole shouts threateningly.

Acting Speaker Pono Moatlhodi warns Masimolole to watch his language and to address his peers as Honourable Members because that is what they are. When he assumes the floor again, Masimolole tells the House that they should be given written copies of Ntuane's address so that they may go and study it and respond later. He moves for an adjournment.

The Acting Speaker seems to be indecisive on the matter and throws it to the vote. But Ntuane will have none of it! 'Are you saying we should vote on Masimolole's motion even though it is unprocedural?, he queries. 'It is not written in the Standing Orders that he can make such a motion. It's like telling us to vote on whether we should adjourn when someone says they are thirsty and wants to go and drink water. If I had not (been reading), how would they respond?'  The MP for Gaborone North, Keletso Rakhudu, tries to save the situation by urging the Acting Speaker to let the matter be decided by the House on the floor. 'If Parliament thinks it's a nonsensical one, it will be thrown out,' Rakhudu says. 'But if they think it is good, it will be accepted.'

After a seemingly endless exchange on what should be done, the matter is finally settled and one time BMD defector Philip Makgalemele of the BDP stands up to speak. But as soon as he starts, people file out in large numbers. No one seems to have time to listen to him. Even MPs leave the House.

'Parliament is boring,' some BDP MPs who have gathered outside Parliament tell chief whip Tshelang Masisi as he tries to get them back inside. Vice-President Merafhe, who has been busy taking notes of Ntuane's address, comes out and talks for a while with Masisi.

 Meanwhile, Ntuane is being congratulated on his speech by his BMD followers. The press lines up to get a copy of the speech and he takes down their e-mail addresses, promising to e-mail it to each one.

However, he lets it be known that he won't be giving his speech to any BDP MPs because he is not obliged to do so. They should have noted what he was saying, he says. While this is going on outside, Makgalemele is addressing the deserted House inside. Suddenly, we are told the man is done and that the House has adjourned for the day.

As if on cue, MPs' vehicles pick them up for the ride back to their homes. Then comes in BDP chairman, Daniel Kwelagobe, a man with an immense sense of humour, pulls out a tickler. 'I'm going to ride in Guma Moyo's car so that I can recruit him along the way,' he says, titillating his audience. Kwelagobe was responding to a newspaper article where Moyo is said to have intimated that he was in the process of recruiting the BDP leader to the BMD.