Epic journey, epic challenges ,epic possibilities

TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 23, 2011 00:00

Botswana Congress Party (BCP) President Dumelang Saleshando, Botswana National Front (BNF) president Duma Boko and Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) interim chairman Gomolemo Motswaledi indicated that their various parties were genuinely dedicated to the negotiations.

Speaking at the official launch of the talks which doubled as the formal introduction of the negotiating teams from the three parties and the signing of a Memorundum of Understanding on By-Elections, the various speakers noted the potential pitfalls ahead as well as the potential fruits that would accrue from successful negotiations.

Saleshando said Botswana Democratic Party's continued rule remained blight on the country's democratic credentials. 'As we launch the Opposition Cooperation Talks for the 2014 general elections we are mindful of the fact that this will not be a romantic walk in the park. Huge challenges and pitfalls lie ahead. There will be difficult decisions to make and we will all have to compromise some of the organisational interests and objectives in order to promote the collective good,' he said.

'I pledge our total commitment to the negotiation process,' he concluded. Motswaledi expressed happiness at the realisation by the three parties for talks to be convened. 'This country needs change more than ever before. The people demand change. Botswana needs change in all aspects of its existence,' he said. He warned that the opposition needed to channel the people's aspirations and fulfill them through democratic change warning that without any realistic realisation of Batswana's demands for change, Batswana frustrations could lead to people demanding change through other means such as in North Africa where citizens brought about change through demonstrations.  He advised ordinary party members to embrace the relationship so that members of their communities could find confidence in the process.

Boko for his part appreciated the initiative saying it was better to make an attempt than to sit back and 'curse the darkness'. 'We will encounter critics. With our gathering here, we have given hope to our people. We are here to answer the epic call of history,' he said. He warned the negotiators to prepare for a tough journey ahead. 'There will be tension. There will be conflict. You will encounter rigid polarities. The test will lie in how you navigate those challenges,' he concluded.

Echoing Boko's words the convener of the talks, Lebang Mpotokwane of the NGO the Committee for the Strengthening of Democracy in Botswana, said there needs to be flexibility by the parties if progress is to be made. He advised the parties to make preparations for confidence building adding that the success of any negotiation depended a lot on pre-preparation.

The three parties introduced their negotiating team members as follows - (BNF) David Rando, Maemo Bantsi, Festinah Marobela, Kagiso Ntime, Tshiamo Rantao, Mokgweetsi Kgosipula (alternative member), (BMD) Nehemiah Modubule, Tlamelo Mmatli, Maluke Mmohe, Sennye Kono, Odirile Motlhale and BCP's Batisani Maswibilili, Busang Manewe, Dr Benjamin Bolaane, Phillip Monowe, Dr Nobantu Rasebotsa, Philip Mbulawa (alternative) and Diphetogo Lekgowe (alternative)