As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair opportunity to compete on the strength of their qualifications, experience, and ability to deliver.
President Duma Boko’s insistence that competence must take precedence over party loyalty is therefore welcome. His defence of retaining capable individuals associated with the previous governing party sends an important message. The country cannot afford to discard experience and institutional memory simply because an individual wears a different political colour. The same principle must apply when considering members of the governing parties. Their suitability should be established through a credible selection process, with clear requirements and consistent standards. Holding the required qualifications is a starting point; appointments must also consider experience, integrity, and a record of performance. There is another consideration the BNF must approach carefully. The Umbrella for Democratic Change is a coalition bringing together different political formations, and whilst the BNF is entitled to debate its own policies, it cannot alone determine an approach to appointments across a government formed through that broader partnership.
