BDP chairmanship:the race as I see it

DR M.D. LECHA | Friday April 12, 2013 00:00

When politicians compare themselves and point out the unfitness of their competitors' ideas and their characters it is often construed to be a dirty affair. Imagine having to state the bare truth that so-and-so is not worthy to be a leader because he is an adulterer, a cheat and a thief, or that their ideas have and can be proved to be untenable or dysfunctional concerning the prevalent conditions. It boils down to what many see as name calling or mudslinging when you bare your competitor's vices and weaknesses and shortcomings for all to see so that people may make their informed judgment on who is relatively cleaner to lead and lead by example.

This is why Plato and Socrates came to realise that political leaders need to be far above the rest in understanding reality and the good values for them to be able to lead and lead well. They should be possessed of higher intellectual and moral attributes, - philosopher kings they ought to be. The same philosophers also thought that leaders must be possessed of a refined intellect and character to compare to the finest and expensive of matter, -men of gold. How dirty can that be?

Now, when it comes to who should lead the BDP as Chairperson, you except all to do some soul searching and present themselves for the calling reluctantly as Rene Descartes admonishes that we should all speak our truth and shepherd our actions in such a manner that we are aware that if we should err, we will be subjected to the same great censure to which we have reserved for others. Apostle Paul of the Holy Bible also says the same thing:'Do nothing out of rivalry or deceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves' (Phil 2:3 ESV). And Jesus Christ says we should not look upon yourself as greater than others: 'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matt 11:29 (NIV).

To the point however, it is good that the three contenders to the BDP chairmanship have done some thorough soul searching to accede to demands that they stand for election. And here Descartes also cautions: 'I know how very liable we are to delusion in what relates to ourselves, and also how much the judgement of our friends are to be suspected when given in our favour'. I completely concur. It might be that praises in our favour may over inflate our ego beyond reason, or they may also serve to stifle whatever proactive potentialities we may have.

This helps us to remember that it is not you alone whose soul-searching is called to play in your acceptance of a higher office, or any office for that matter. The people whom you want to serve also must do a thorough scanning of your character, potentiality, and qualification for the post in question. And it is to the opinion and judgement of the people that you must first pay your respects whether they favour or refute your candidature. Then you weigh yourself against the people's judgement to be fully convinced you are the best option as they themselves say, as against your competitors. In that instance, it will be possible to avoid hanging dirty linen in public when each of us acknowledge our weaknesses against the other and therefore in a most civil manner step down in favour of the better candidate from your own assessment. This is how unanimity and consensus of opinion is formed and reached.

If I were to give my own assessment of the three big names at BDP Chairmanship, Patrick Balopi, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and Guma Moyo as every citizen may, I should for very good reasons, first think that Moyo can safely decline the seat in favour of Venson-Moitoi. First, for the Chaitrmanship Venson-Moitoi as a woman should be first favourite. But merit must also count. Second, Venson-Moitoi has the advantage of age on her side to be able to exert that natural and customary authority culturally accorded the elderly in Botswana (goes for Balopi too). Third, she is an experienced administrator (Balopi too); and fourth she is senior to Moyo on party membership if length of stay in the party must count as it should (and goes for Balopi too).  Venson-Moitoi has stood steadfastly in and by the party and never for once has she publicly declared opposition to any aspect of party policy (Balopi too) save to motivate for repair measures where they may be called for.

On another plane, Moyo has a big disadvantage where he is responsible for the birthing of a formidable rival party to the BDP in the form of BMD and now Umbrella Party. Moyo for the brief stay out there built the party and recruited members both from the general political terrain and somewhat painfully for the BDP from their membership. It may be good for Moyo's change of heart to defect back to the BDP. Although his hurting may have healed, the wound as in the party he formed remains as painful to the BDP as though inflicted a minute ago. He may be sorry about that, as anyone ought to believe he is. But both him and the BDP must live with the reality of the gaping wound for as long as the Umbrella Party does not join Domkrag, -for which it should add to his advantages while vying to be BDP helmsman. Under these circumstances, it would be very much in his and his party's ultimate interests to take a bow and allow for the healing process. Moyo has the years and means on his side for to can pick up where he left in the future. Cyril Ramaphosa did just that. And who knows and can foretell the future of the South African presidency? That is if good reason, the people's interests at heart, and a sense of honour should matter in the BDP and our national politics in general.

Meanwhile, Venson-Moitoi has that formidable advantage of being of the other sex going for her. However, she already has her plate full running what many would want to call a problematic Ministry of Education and Skills Development. Managing relations in her own constituency and satisfying those who elected her to represent their needs are matters that cannot be slighted. Juggling the two problematic fields although possible for any hard worker, is too much to ask from one individual, -but also more of a testimony albeit false, that there may be no able and qualified people in the BDP stable to ease her load. Unless she has plans to leave the ministry, her life will be thrown into difficulties of unimaginable proportions at a time when the BDP is reeling in the aftershock of swinging political fortunes compounded by some perceived disquiet in the party ranks as well as in the general electorate. What an honourable opportunity for her to bow out of the race in favour of being more productive where she already is.

That would leave Balopi. He has been with the party from the sixties. He is the most senior person in the race, and quite a level headed and stable man. He would be a good stabiliser if given the chance. In an unfair note, to be chairman of the BDP at his age would make opposition party lists look like a group of school boys. Balopi is respected across the national villages. Senior citizens from both the ruling and opposition parties alike do revere him, his eloquence, guarded manner, and powers of reason. If I were to advise the BDP on a fair and reasonable choice, I would advance my analysis from this angle. But then all analyses are prone to attacks from all sides. But that is the nature of the game.

The referee says only what he sees and hears while other incidents may be happening outside his crucial senses.As for those, I have been tutored and come to learn that incidents outside the normal scope of analysis are outside the mandate of an analyst as a dispassionate referee. Rene Descartes once again: 'For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is how to rightly apply it'.