Battle for Maun West

KETO SEGWAI
Staff Writer | Friday July 11, 2008 00:00

 

As a newly installed paramount chief of the Batawana, Kgosi Tawana Moremi had to deal with the debilitating outbreak of CBPP or cattle lung disease in Ngamiland in 1996.  Government's proposed solution was to slaughter all cattle in the region, and that meant killingover 300, 000 herd. Such a drastic measure was to be the first to befall the region that is absolutely dependent on livestock for livelihood. As a young tribal leader Tawana had to strike the balance between his people's emotions and the government's search for a lasting solution. Those were the dark days not only for Tawana but also for the people of Ngamiland. His legal training must have come handy then.

The killing exercise was finally carried out with devastating effects to the inhabitants.  A few years down the line a painstaking restocking exercise was undertaken, though with a paltry replacement of about 60,000 herds. The determination of the Ngamiland people saw them building up that herd within a decade, which now even surpasses the pre-CBPP figures. Now Tawana, as a political novice in the race for Maun West says he draws encouragement from that determination.

The incumbent Member of Parliament, Ronald Ridge also went through that political baptism of fire after ascending to the Maun West seat. Government came up with plans to expand the existing Maun airport into an international one. Relocating the existing airport to another area was going to be expensive, argued the authorities. The only less costly alternative was to relocate big swathes of residences around the airport, primarily the Botshabelo ward. Ironically this was established in the mid-70s after floods devastated central Maun. In another blow, homes and businesses also had to be moved to make way for the new bus and taxi, which is under construction at Mabudutsa ward. And the earmarked areas formed part of Ridge's constituency. His constituents would not hear of it. Those were trying times for the IT businessman turned politician.
Ridge tried in vain to reason with authorities, at times confrontationally, to reconsider the proposed relocation. His arguments were that the authorities had not factored in the cost of important infrastructural developments such as power, water, roads, clinics, schools and others. He then chose to turn this seemingly untenable situation into something positive.

'Once I realised government had its mind made, I redirected my efforts to make sure properly serviced land will be available where people were moved to in Disaneng and Matshwane,' he explained. He had to ensure social amenities, such as clinics, power, water, telecommunications, schools and others are in place before people were relocated.  

As it is now, the two men have survived their worst nightmares. Now the BDP primaries scheduled for 26 July are providing them with yet another lifetime opportunity to test their tenacity against each other for the Maun West parliamentary seat.

This could prove to be a do or die test for each man. Ridge will detest going into history books as a one-term MP. Some argue that Ridge cannot afford to squander his advantageous position, that of being an incumbent MP. His loss therefore, will be a terrible indictment on his leadership qualities. Further, they point to the comparative advantage of numerical strength of the ethic Bayei, whom he is allegedly courting.

On the other hand, Tawana is no ordinary mortal. He is the de facto paramount chief of the Batawana, though he has abdicated in favour of his sister, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi.  For no other royalty, of those who entered politics, has ever lost an election - primaries for that matter! That is the historical record that could be haunting Tawana as he goes into this election. 

Kgosi Bathoen II of Bangwaketse won the elections on the opposition Botswana National Front (BNF) ticket, and similarly did the current president, Ian Khama of Bangwato on the BDP ticket. Recently, the younger Khama, Tshekedi came to parliament after a convincing electoral win. Even Botswana's founding president, Sir Seretse Khama, many believe, won primarily on account of his royal lineage. 

While not putting much emphasis on the advantages of incumbency, Ridge argues that his record so far 'speaks for itself'. He points out that besides pushing for development projects under the NDP9, he has effectively served the country in the formulation of Information and Communications Technology policy for the southern African region and indeed the continent at large.

'ICTs are very important for any development effort right now. And I am in a better position to assist in that endeavour. We want to bridge the digital divide gap between rural and urban areas. We are also currently working on a project, e-parliament, for the whole SADC region'. He also cited a UN/Pan African Parliament project which tries to assist African parliaments in sharing the best practices when they introduce e-laws, aimed at fighting cyber crimes.

Ridge does not believe Tawana's chieftainship will disadvantage him in any way. 'I also have advantages ... people know my accomplishments. Chieftainship does not come with its accomplishments. My challenger has been part of the former House of Chiefs, which by all intents and purposes is an advisory body. Parliament is also an advisory body. So, it is not like it is only at Parliament where one can play an advisory role, like my challenger says'.

For his part, Tawana maintains that his chieftainship role is being overplayed. 'I think I will be judged on the basis of what I am able to offer, on my ability. I have had instances in Maun where our people had refused to agree with me on a number of issues. For that reason I cannot count on the chieftainship trump card. Our people are not a submissive lot. They question things. Likewise, I do not think the Bayei will vote for one for just being a Moyei. He'll be elected on the basis of his representation in Parliament. Gore a o ntse a nale bone. My position on various issues is known, but his is not. That will be the determining factor.'

Tawana takes the elections as a challenge that will 'provide me with an opportunity to put across new and fresh ideas'. What do these ideas entail?

'My thrust is service delivery. The programs and policies that are in the NDP 9 are adequate. The only problem has been delivery. Our people should not be made to feel marginalised solely on account of poor service delivery.

'What is needed is to build technical teams to spearhead delivery. It could be a problem of lack leadership to galvanise them. I doubt if the elected officers really know their responsibilities.I think all that is needed to build a working relation with the technical people, public servants, who are basically the implementers of these programmes'.

Ridge acknowledges bottlenecks in delivery. He points out that he had previously taken up issues with relevant authorities, specifically the North West District Council. For instance, he points to the delayed completion of the new taxi and bus rank in the village and many other projects which were awarded to one Chinese company, which appears not to have capacity. The other case was that of fire station tender, whose bids at the time of writing could have long expired without satisfactory explanation.

Ridge, however, notes that the era of laxity within the public service appears to be drawing to a close. 'Right now we live in exciting times that are likely to impact positively on Batswana. The new Khama administration has introduced many initiatives in the past three months, and it will need accountable people to help to achieve those goals. I have always believed in him and I'm willing to do my best to actualise those initiatives. 

'I have never been excited about Botswana's future as I am now. Not that I am downplaying the past leadership'.

Whoever comes out unscathed from the BDP primaries' duel will face another bruising confrontation with two opposition candidates, Laurine Maplanka of the Botswana National Front (BNF) and Moaparankwe Mpho of the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM).

Maplanka's candidacy is unique in that she is the first woman, from any other party, to contest parliamentary elections in Maun. However, she is no newcomer to political contest. In 1999 she contested the then Maun Central (Boyei) ward on a BNF ticket and she came second to a BDP candidate.

Maplanka is undeterred by the perceived advantages of incumbency and chieftainship that are associated with her opponents. The only disadvantage she could think of is lack of resources.

'But it has been proven before that with appropriate messages to the electorate, lack of resources may not necessarily be a factor. Kenneth Koma was able to beat Satar Dada of BDP with all his riches,' she quips.

Talking to Mmegi from her residence at the high density Sanyedi ward, she eloquently spelt out the priorities to clinch the Maun West parliamentary seat. High on her agenda is youth employment which she described as 'unacceptably high in this constituency'. 

She intends to push for programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of youth, says this community activist who has been involved with water-saving campaigns and the Boyei village development community (VDC).  

On the development of infrastructure, she intends to urgently push for the street lighting of Maun, which she sees as a necessity for the village of its size. 'Darkness always encourages crime,' she says.

She decried the fact that the Maun West constituency has one police station to cover a wide area that includes stand-alone villages such as Shorobe, Makalamabedi and others.  'As a priority one additional police station can be established at Boseja and another at Shorobe'.

In regard to the improvement of the health system, she said 'there should at least be two clinics that are operational for 24 hours. One can be at Shorobe and the other at Boseja'. 

Maplanka, deputy chair of the Zebras Supporters Club, Maun branch notes that he been getting encouragement from youth and women to contest elections. 'Women and youth have shown willingness to support my candidature.' She promises to spell out her agenda to potential voters once she has been officially launched.