What was of interest to me though was the answer by the Minister to the "prestige" associated with being a Minister of Foreign Affairs or any other ministry for that matter. I still wonder what you wanted from the minister in regard to your question and you will pardon me if my contribution does injustice to your quest. I am aware as well that very soon there will be a change of guard at the top in Botswana and probably your question was in consideration of that impending scenario.
Nevertheless, the issue of prestige or power associated with heading a ministry is something that normally defines who assumes the ultimate position of presidency or prime minister in some countries. A case in point is Australia and the United Kingdom. In both countries, being a Treasurer or Chancellor of Exchequer or minister of Finance in common language carries a lot of weight and the incumbents normally get the top prize. In Australia, John Howard, Paul Keating just to mention a few, were Treasurers before getting the Prime Ministership position. Peter Costello, Howard long serving treasurer was tipped to take over as Prime Minister had the Liberal party won the just-ended elections. This is despite the fact that there was a Deputy Prime Minister. Similarly, Gordon Brown was not a Deputy Prime Minister but was always seen as the heir apparent to Blair. In Botswana, it is the Vice Presidency that seems to carry a lot of weight and it is even supported by legislation (the famous automatic succession that was crafted to shoe-in a supposedly weak Mogae). Sir Ketumile Masire was a VP before ascending to the top and so was Mogae and Ian Khama is about to confirm that trend.
