Khama and the 70% liquor tax
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
For starters, he should be advised to make judicious decisions. This advice is imperative in view of Khama's station in the country. He is an imperial president. Chief of a powerful ethnic group and the son of the country's first president. He is therefore more powerful than he can conjure.
His power, which is anchored on many fronts means that he is even more powerful than our beloved founder President, his father, as well as the two presidents preceding him. He therefore has to make decisions that are well judged. Failure to do that will result in a grievous mishap for the nation he so loves. For that he loves this country and its people is not in doubt. President Khama should know that owing to his power-he is never engaged. It therefore follows that his initiatives, ideas and opinions hardly ever enjoy benefit of scrutiny from advisors, cabinet colleagues and his party. His opinions are never tested through debate. Should Khama fail this nation he will not be the first good person to travel this path. Like all good people it would be a path of his own choosing. Unfortunately his failure will affect all of us.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...