And what is with the cults of personality in our politics?

Now, this is something I’ve observed with increasing frequency: leaders in Botswana are made to seem infallible, so made to seem infallible that those who criticize leaders are seen as ill-disciplined and full of hate for those leaders. Funny thing though, the same people who blindly follow leaders criticize those from other parties for their personality cults. Strange is this not?

These cults one can observe within all our significant political parties: The Botswana Democratic Party has this, the Botswana National Front has this, the Botswana Congress Party has this, and the relatively new Botswana Movement for Democracy has its own fair share. Is this desirable? Let’s clarify cults of personality first. Here we look at the tendency to see leaders as heroic to be worshipped characters that we flatter so much that those who criticize them we see as committing sin of some kind.

Across the different establishments, I notice a certain type of romanticizing of the dear leader a great deal of times that analysis of the leader’s actual policies and record in leadership is demonized. I have no problem with people defending their leader’s records- I have a problem with people making it seem as though pointing out the poor accomplishments, bad beliefs and principles the leader may harbour is tantamount to witchcraft. 

Editor's Comment
Bulela Ditswe entry fee could hamper broke talent

The fees have been doubled from the previous amounts and raise concerns about political participation accessibility and democratic representation principles.This significant fee increase prompts questions regarding its impact on grassroots democracy.On one hand, the fees act as a filter, ensuring only serious contenders enter the race, potentially reducing frivolous candidacies and generating crucial campaign funds. The BDP argues that aspiring...

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