Khama is a good leader- Ntime

| Wednesday February 15, 2012 00:00

 Mmegi: Born to an opposition family, when did you decide the time was right to leave the opposition?

Ntime: Yes, I was born into a political family where my immediate family was predominately BNF. My father is a veteran member. There are lots of BNF members in the extended family as well but there are BDP members too. For instance, my maternal grandfather, Goolam Ali Khan, was a BDP member, my brother’s uncle, Bonnie Ntime, was a BNF councillor in the early 2000s in Kopong who later defected to the BDP.

DK, who is a distant uncle of my father’s, is BDP. As a young man growing up in such a political house, I started reading Marxism while at primary school and when I became a responsible individual, I chose the BNF as my political home.

But I asked myself first of all whether I should continue in the party that I grew up in or not. Driven by the then BNF visionary leadership, I remained and have over the years served in various capacities in the party, ranging from lower structures until I became BNF youth league president. The decision to leave the opposition really started late last year before my suspension, which also served as a catalyst. I have always been against the umbrella model and cautioned ‘comrades’ that it would destroy the BNF. This project meant registering a new party and policies, and once again, not the party I joined and fought for. I then convinced myself that things couldn’t get any better and opted out!

Mmegi: You are very close to your father. Does he support this decision?

Ntime: My father and I discuss, debate and analyse issues. This has always been our relationship in politics. I have consulted and engaged him and members of the extended family and they trust my conscience and believe I have taken the right decision. I will continue to lobby him to join me but I don’t think he will do so any time soon. I will not give up, though.

Mmegi: Did any other party approach you subsequent to your suspension?

Ntime: Yes, they did, particularly the Botswana Congress Party. And of course, the BDP and some members of the BNF who wanted me to reconsider leaving the party. At the end of the day, I had to take a conscious decision; a decision that would allow me to contribute to the national discourse and uplift livelihoods. The BCP is a good party, but I was still going to deal with the problems that led to my departure through the opposition cooperation project.

Mmegi: You have always preached change of government. Do you still have this sentiment?

Ntime: It will take forever for that to be realised if the opposition continues as they are. Opposition politics has regressed; no integrity with the leadership fighting for personal interests. Okay, if the nation does not see a need for reform, why should it be?

Mmegi: You don’t want change of government any more?

Ntime: It will take a lifetime, given the prevailing circumstances in the opposition.

Mmegi: The BNF labels itself as a party for the downtrodden, a leftist movement. Are you still a leftist within the BDP?

Ntime: I am still the Ntime I have always been and I shall remain that in the BDP. I believe in social democracy, but every political party has a mixture of ideologies. There are Marxists, liberals and social democrats within the various political parties in Botswana. BDP members have defected to the BNF and vice versa, and they have fitted in. I am going to continue lobbying for policies to benefit the downtrodden, especially the youth and the unemployed. I am not saying BDP policies are okay; we are on track, but a lot more needs to be done. There is an urgent need to speed up programmes geared towards fighting unemployment and arts development.

Mmegi: What about all the things you were against while in the opposing camp? Is Khama the right man for the presidency now and are BDP policies relevant?

Ntime: President Khama has some weaknesses, as I have pointed out. But he is also a compassionate, hard working, charismatic and strategic leader. I am joining the BDP with the hope of being part of a team that will assist in addressing his flaws. With regard to BDP policies, I repeat that not all of them are bad, but they can be improved. The pitso consultative forums could be restructured and be more sector-centric in order to address relevant audiences. The youth have to be at the forefront of the youth pitso, not employees in the Department of Youth and Culture.

Mmegi: Can you tell us some of the President’s biggest weaknesses seeing that you believe a part of the strategy should be re-building President Khama?

Ntime: I cannot do so right now. No, the intention is not to re-build the President.

Mmegi: Does the 2011-2012 Budget speak for the poor?

Ntime: It is a good thing that we have a balanced budget and there is a surplus, though there is a looming double dip. I expect that with the surplus, we can think of a reasonable salary increase for the civil service and extend on social welfare programmes. But I am strongly of the view that able-bodied Batswana should stand up for themselves.

Mmegi: We know that the main issue that saw you leave the BNF is the current leadership. If Duma Boko left the party today, would you go back to your political beginning?

Ntime: It will take a hell lot of time to re-build the movement. The BNF of now is no longer that of the downtrodden. It is of friends and elites. I don’t think I can go back because I have made a thorough decision for the good of the people of Botswana. I now want to utilise my energy towards constructive courses, not petty issues. I am not saying there won’t be challenges in the BDP.

Mmegi: You will obviously be part of the BDP’s strategy to recruit young people to the party. Are you looking to stand for elections in 2014 on a BDP ticket?

Ntime: I haven’t thought of standing for elections yet. We will see what assignments the leadership gives me. For now I am an ordinary BDP member who looks towards contributing towards developing the livelihoods of the people.

Mmegi: What if you were to be assigned to stand for elections in Molepolole North, which is a BDP stronghold that the BNF has been closing up on with your uncle Mohammed Khan eyeing it?

Ntime: Politics is not about family. It’s about principles, even if family differs with one in principles, they still remain family.

Mmegi: How are people reacting to your defection?

Ntime: Lots of people were shocked, but after I explained to them, they understood. A lot more are reconsidering, and don’t be surprised when many people start joining us. Slowly we will be receiving more.

Mmegi: How many more are we looking at?

Ntime: I can’t tell, but others are waiting to be welcomed. Even from my extended family.

Mmegi: Who exactly from the BDP recruited you?

Ntime: We have not agreed to disclose as yet. You can keep on speculating.

Mmegi: Was it President Khama?

Ntime: You will see how to put it (Laughs).