Have you given aany thought to the kind of men and women we need to represent us? I am fully aware that many Batswana have in the past voted along party lines, regardless of the integrity and capability of the men and women who are running for office. I am also aware that we cannot know for certain that the men and women we support will do what they promise when they are elected. All of us have probably been disappointed by the behaviour of some of the people we honestly believed would be good presidents or parliamentarians or councillors. While we cannot know for sure how our representatives will behave or perform, we must make maximum effort to elect the very best people for public office.
But up front, I want to make it clear that just because a candidate is devoutly religious, faithfully discharging his duties to his family, to the community and to the nation does not mean he will be a good leader. In my judgment, these are essential qualities of a public servant, but they are not adequate. Men and women who run for public office must have the knowledge and the skills to succeed in whatever office they occupy. For example, if a man is running for the office of a sheriff, he should know the law, have experience as a law enforcement officer, have good human skills and be honest and dedicated. Good character alone does not qualify a man or a woman for any office.
