Khama's marriage on or off again?

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Wednesday May 30, 2007 00:00

The wedding was supposed to be a high profile affair because Khama is not only the country's vice president but he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamagwato.

However, with less than a year before he takes over from President Festus Mogae, it seems Khama will move into State House as a bachelor.

So far there have been no signs that preparations are going on for the dream wedding. In 2002, it was reported that plans were afoot for Khama's proposed marriage. That was after a delegation from Serowe travelled to South Africa to meet the Mberes and seek the hand of their daughter in marriage.

The team was headed by Khama's uncle, Sekgoma Khama.

During that time, Khama used to attend social functions accompanied by Mbere. Everything seemed to be going well until Khama's mother, Lady Ruth Khama, died later that year.

After Lady Khama's death, everything came to a virtual standstill. It seemed that the vice president had changed his mind about the marriage.

Since then nothing has been said about the marriage.  Nobody is willing to say categorically what might have gone wrong. Even Khama's uncle, Sekgoma, does not want to shed light on the matter although he is the family spokesman.   He said 'this is a personal matter'.

Mbere does also not want to comment on the issue.  She also pointed out that this was a private matter.  However, a source indicated that even Mbere seems to have given up on the proposed marriage. Khama's Private Secretary Isaac Kgosi has never been willing to discuss the matter as well.

A University of Botswana (UB) sociology lecturer, Log Raditlhokwa, said there is always an expectation that a leader should be married.  However, he said in law this requirement does not exist. 'It is up to the individual to make a decision.  One is not compelled to marry,' he said.

Raditlhokwa said the issue of the First Lady is not accommodated by the Constitution. He said it is only a practice.

The UB academic also came up with another dimension to the argument. He argued that if one is married it does not guarantee that he is going to be effective as a leader.  He said a leader's performance is not affected by his marital status.

He indicated that even a single person could dedicate his/her time to issues of national concern.

Raditlhokwa said marriage should never be imposed on anyone. 'If a person is not ready, it should not stop him from becoming a president.  I think what matters first are the people who work with the president.'

However, Raditlhokwa said it could be 'a bit strange' if a leader was not married because 'a leader needs emotional support' from his wife and children because his/her job is demanding.  'One needs people who are close to him to provide support.'

He said without sufficient support, a leader would feel demoralised. 

But the social scientist still maintains that the issue of marriage depends on whether one is ready and has found the right partner.  'If one is not ready, society should not coerce them.'  He said if people were forced to marry, the marriage could end up as a disaster.  He pointed out that divorce could ruin the life of a sitting president.