Spectators of our own destiny

From sectors such as minerals, tourism, services and even the lower rungs of the informal sector, wealthier and more innovative foreigners have supped from golden chalices, while Batswana have had to make do with the crumbs falling from the table.

The absence of preference or retention schemes in the early years of the diamond miracle and their subsequent somewhat reluctant introduction seemed – in the minds of citizens – to reinforce both the inequality and the perception that government was actively promoting the injustice. Over the years, agencies such as CEDA, LEA and a host of policies, including preference schemes driven by the PPADB, have – to various extents – given Batswana a greater helping of the national cake.