To be fair to President Ian Khama, we think we understand why he is so concerned with alcohol consumption, which borders on the abuse. The atrocities resulting from alcohol abuse are a compelling case that very few can argue against. We have seen families break-up, productive lives lost, insurance companies lose millions, many maimed, hospital beds taken up by patients that should not have been patients in the first place. As a leader of this nation, President Khama has a responsibility to be decisive in promoting and protecting the interests of his people even if it means saving themselves from a self-inflicted misery. We cannot fault Khama for trying to protect his people. We do not doubt that President Khama means well. Former President Mogae pulled us from the abyss of HIV/AIDS and Khama is hoping to extend the frontiers by fighting against alcohol abuse.
What we, however, find a little amiss with Khama's alcohol crusade is his lack of consultation and even the lack of respect for institutions that he has to carry along. No matter how noble his intentions are, President Khama would still need to consult not just the bureaucrats in government but the alcohol industry and the public.
We are not merely talking about the stage managed Kgotla meetings, which government officials have desecrated in their partisan addresses where they cough out instructions in the name of consultation. Khama may be the president, but he has to appreciate the simple realities of life: he does not have the solution to every problem. Most importantly, President Khama needs to accept that no matter how well-intentioned, he does not love this country more than anyone of us. All he really has is the power, which when used properly could propel this nation into a positive direction.
