Utterly unforgivable!

| Friday August 10, 2012 00:00

In Setswana, this virtue finds expression in the form of platitudes like, A e nne modiga, which essentially means the same as letting sleeping dogs lie in English.  When the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture first came to public attention, it was in the unfortunate matter of how he had been chosen over the heads of better people for the plush job of Director of Sports in October 1997. One of the better people overlooked was Labbeus Peloewetse who eventually proved his superior credentials in the Court of Appeal in January 2000. Peloewetse could have assumed the position and Shaw Kgathi set aside if he had been so inclined, but Peloewetse demurred, declaring himself fully contented that his point was made. His honour was without equal.

Among other things, the court had proved that Kgathi was the beneficiary of an avuncular consideration because an uncle was involved. With the rightful candidate choosing to forgo his firmly established title to the position of Director of Sports and Recreation, Kgathi stayed in the post and remained the beneficiary of an avuncular consideration in the civil service. It is a lush position flush with perks that include travel, per diem allowances and others. It may be said that he proved his grit. Afterall, it is not as though Kgathi was completely unqualified and inexperienced; it was only a matter of degree in comparison with the others. Kgathi is now a minister in a portfolio suited to his background at Sports and Recreation. He is quite able and has made considerable strides, among them accessibility to the media. And so it was inevitable that this should put him under the spotlight, sometimes with admiration but often with disappointment.

When the latter happens, it is unavoidable that Kgathi will come under scrutiny; his every action closely examined and his image scanned for any blotches that may be there. Unfortunately, the sleeping dogs have awoken to hound Kgathi and haunt a forgiving nation that had forgotten the deplorable chapter in the background of its incumbent Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. Regrettably, the time coincides with the otherwise happy occasion of London 2012.  No one - repeat, no one - can ever understand the subterfuge that has characterised the unforgivable absence of Amantle Montsho's coach in London.

To neglect the undisputed Black Beauty of the Oval Track in this manner has cost the country immeasurably, for Amantle was the one certainty for gold that is being lost because of incompetence magnified by the insouciant blubber and confused warble that is coming out of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.  It brings to mind the disaster of FIFA 2010 when we failed to tap into the all-round bonanza of the Soccer World Cup in South Africa after being led up the garden path that everything was hunky-dory.  Of course, the blame for FIFA 2010 goes mainly to ministries responsible for infrastructure and tourism, but Kgathi should not have taken everything at face value. And so there goes the hope for Botswana's gold! But we must take heart because here comes Nigel Amos; the lad is full of promise.

                                                                         Today's thought

                    'What we anticipate seldom occurs, what we least expected generally happens.'

                                                                     - Benjamin Disraeli