Masisi: The Jonah in the BDP storm
Tuesday, May 09, 2017
When President Ian Khama named Mokgweetsi Masisi as his Vice President above his more accomplished and experienced competitors in both the country and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), apparatchiks were stunned.
On November 12, 2014, Khama submitted his nominee to Parliament to afford it an opportunity to endorse or reject Masisi. Of the 57 member-strong Parliament, 38 legislators from the ruling party endorsed Khama’s choice of Vice President while 19 members from the opposition abstained. Only a single vote was spoilt. Clearly this was an emphatic victory for Masisi.
It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...