All of us have been sucked in by the stories of despair from the economic meltdown and many other socio-political challenges. In the midst of all these challenges, it is encouraging to find that we still have unsung heroes in our communities. In our yesterday edition, we featured a story about a councillor in Francistown who represents Botsalano Ward. According to the story, Kays Phitshana, a first time councillor, has taken to his job like a duck to water. It is reported that the Botsalano councillor has opened an office where he will serve the people of his ward. He has hired a secretary and a cleaner for the office. All these expenses will be financed from his pocket. This is a noble sacrifice and one that will benefit the community in the long term. Government does not provide councillors with offices in their wards. We believe this is primarily because of limited resources. There can be no denying that councillors, as community leaders, need ward offices where they can engage with their communities. Such offices should be equipped with government information material and instruments of research. These offices, if they are properly equipped, could be information centres. This could eventually reduce the burden on other resource centres and government departments. For people like Phitshana, the unavailability of such requisite resources does not mean that it is impossible to bring these facilities to the community. There is no doubt that in securing this office for the people of Botsalano, Rre Phitshana had to make great personal sacrifices. He will pay the rent and pay two salaries all from his meagre salary. This high spirit of service demonstrated by Rre Phitshana ought to be celebrated by all. Many of our politicians, including many who hold lofty offices, can take a leaf from Rre Phitshana's true devotional service. Most importantly, this is what we should promote in most of our leaders. We are not saying everyone should rent an office for the people they serve but the bigger lesson is that leadership is service. Leadership is about making sacrifices for those you serve. Leadership is the opposite of what we see today where people want political leadership for the glamour and comforts it brings while they shun the service part. Rre Phitshana stands out today as example of what we should expect from our leaders. This is a wake up call to all of us to go out and demand more from our leaders who are in the habit of using our vote as a passport to public office while they do nothing about the public that sent them there. We must just add that Rre Phitshana is a councillor from the opposition. If opposition people who always complain of resources can do this, then everybody needs to take the leadership calling to a higher level. Thank you Rre Phitshana for reminding us that Batswana deserve better.
Today's thought
"Don't spend your precious time asking, 'Why isn't the world a better place? 'It will only be time wasted.
The question to ask is, 'how can I make it better?
To that there is an answer."
