We watched a disappointing development at a public function marking the commemoration of the Sir Seretse Khama Day in front of the National Assembly recently.
Hurt as he may have been, former president Ian Khama, Sir Seretse’s senior son who was given an opportunity to speak on behalf of the Seretse family, couldn’t mince his words as he took advantage to shred his successor Mokgweetsi Masisi to pieces.
He, however, did not clearly mention names but he referred to Masisi as the leader of a political party that was founded amongst others by his father.
He would also address him as the former State president who made his life and lives of his family members unbearable during his tenure.
Fresh from a court judgment that exonerated him (Khama) and his line of friends, Bridgette Motsepe, the late Isaac Kgosi and a spy agent Wilhemina ‘Butterfly’ Maswabi from criminal blame, Khama found himself in a pole position to hit hard at his nemesis.
As a statesman, Khama should have not in the first place delved into such divisive issues as at worst, it somewhat spoilt the day that had brought people together. The attacks on Masisi and his previous administration are simply fodder for political rallies and Khama should have known this better. He should have also known better that he occupies a respectable and honourable office as the Kgosi Kgolo of Bangwato and he is no longer a politician as he had promised.
The organisers of the national event should have also done better in remembering that by allowing Khama to speak without affording Masisi the same would spark a row of such magnitude. It’s apparent that the duo still has unresolved issues. The seating arrangement where both attend the same event was well managed in such a manner that they were not close to each other.
It’s clear that at any given opportunity, Khama or even Masisi would hit at each other very hard and that is affecting the country’s image.
The President Duma Boko-led administration has now learnt the hard way because to Masisi, it now looks like Khama was facilitated to hit him hard whilst his (Masisi’s) hands were simply tied to his back.
The Office of the President (OP) should have known better that buoyed by the recent court judgment that favoured Khama and his allies, they could have reigned on him never to spew any diatribe directed at his nemesis, Masisi.
The adversarial relationship between Khama and Masisi continues to spill out of control and it now threatens to even destroy Botswana’s good name. We appeal to the Umbrella for Democratic Change government to wake up to the reality that there is an elephant in the room that they ought to deal with now rather than later.
As for Khama and Masisi they have to remember that Botswana enjoys the rule of law and when an individual is aggrieved, they can approach the courts of law for recourse.
“Peace begins with a smile.”– Mother Teresa
