The first phase: laying the foundation for change in Botswana

INTRODUCTION

1. Madam Speaker I have been instructed that it is a habit or convention of decorum of this House to refer to each other as Honourable. This should not be very difficult for me. As you all are aware I come from a background where this convention applies. We refer to the Honourable Court and learned friends. I am also aware that in neo-classical poetry the assumption is to treat kings as if they were noble and gracious, statesmen as if they were wise and just, soldiers as if they were brave and merciful, ladies as if they were chaste and fair, whatever may actually be the case. We condition ourselves always to clothe people with the garbs and accolades of virtues they are assumed to possess. Often when these titles or references are uttered they do not even remotely imply the speaker’s belief in the honour or erudition of those to whom we refer as either Honourable or Learned.