We are becoming a petty nation
Wednesday, August 03, 2016
We believed in the Setswana adage: ‘mmualebe o bua la gagwe’. That simply means that everybody has a right to a view, however divergent. But in this new era of social media, that has since changed. The young generation instead of leading the debate to take this country forward, is engaged in pettiness.
Social media bullying is a reality. Few countrymen and women are harassed on a daily basis by fellow citizens who hold a different view. If one dares to differ in a debate, he/she is labelled, harassed and insulted. Social media especially Facebook and Twitter are the grounds for vitriolic and defamatory comments about others without any slight provocation.
While it is widely acknowledged that Khama holds the title of Kgosi, the government’s failure to properly gazette his recognition has raised serious concerns about adherence to legal procedures and the credibility of traditional leadership. (See a story elsewhere in this newspaper.) Recent court documents by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse, shed light on the intricacies of Khama’s recognition process....